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.

Based on a review of litigation records as of today's date, US Patent 10,512,385 is involved in the following case:

• Case Number: 2:25-cv-01042
• Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• Plaintiff(s): BSH Home Appliances Corporation
• Defendant(s): Whirlpool Corporation
• Filing Date: October 15, 2025
• Status: The case is currently active. Public records indicate that the litigation is in the discovery and claim construction phase, with a Markman hearing scheduled for later this year. No dispositive motions have been filed or ruled upon.

This information is sourced from the litigation record referenced in the patent's documentation on Google Patents, available at: https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/Texas%20Eastern%20District%20Court/case/2%3A25-cv-01042.

Proceedings overview

There is currently one AIA trial proceeding on file for US Patent 10,512,385, which is an active Inter Partes Review (IPR). This gives a defendant a pending opportunity to challenge the patent's validity.

IPR2026-00337 — [[[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.) et al.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.%20et%20al.) v. Whirlpool Corp.

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2026-04-15
• Status: Pending. The petition has been filed and is awaiting an institution decision by the PTAB.
• Judge panel: Not yet publicly available, as the institution decision has not been issued.
• Petition grounds: Specific claims challenged, prior art, and statutory bases (§ 102 / § 103 / § 112) are not yet publicly available without access to the full petition. However, IPRs typically challenge patentability under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 (novelty) and/or 103 (obviousness).
• Institution decision: Not yet issued. The PTAB has a statutory deadline to issue an institution decision generally within six months of the petition filing.
• Final Written Decision: Not yet issued, as the proceeding is still in the pre-institution phase.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable, as the proceeding is active.
• Appeal: Not applicable, as no Final Written Decision has been issued.
• Defensive value: This active IPR presents a current opportunity to invalidate some or all of the claims of US 10,512,385. A defendant facing assertion of this patent should closely monitor this proceeding, as an unfavorable outcome for the patent owner could significantly weaken the patent's enforceability.

Strategic summary

As of today, May 29, 2026, the claims of US 10,512,385 are currently UNTESTED by a final PTAB decision. There is one active IPR, IPR2026-00337, filed by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. against Whirlpool Corp. This means that the patent's validity is currently being challenged, but no claims have yet been canceled or sustained through an AIA trial.

The estoppel landscape is not yet defined, as there has been no Final Written Decision. If IPR2026-00337 proceeds to a Final Written Decision, the petitioner (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. and their privies) would be estopped from raising any ground they raised or reasonably could have raised in a subsequent civil action or ITC proceeding. The ongoing litigation in the Texas Eastern District Court (Case 2:25-cv-01042) where Whirlpool Corporation is asserting US 10,512,385 against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. indicates a direct challenge to the patent. Samsung's filing of this IPR is a common defensive strategy in parallel with district court litigation.

Recommended next steps

The IPR proceeding IPR2026-00337 is pending, and the institution decision is expected within approximately six months from the filing date of April 15, 2026. A defendant facing assertion of this patent should closely track this IPR, particularly the institution decision. If the IPR is instituted, the PTAB has a statutory one-year deadline from institution to issue a Final Written Decision. If claims are invalidated, this would be highly beneficial for defense.

Inventors

• Barry E. Tuller (Whirlpool Corp)
• Steven B. Balinski (Whirlpool Corp)
• David Jason Brightbill (Whirlpool Corp)
• Frederick Thomas Roderick (Whirlpool Corp)
• Joseph T. Ferencevich (Whirlpool Corp)
• Ryan Kevin Roth (Whirlpool Corp)
• William J. Snell (Whirlpool Corp)

All inventors were employed by Whirlpool Corp at the time of filing. This is typical for patents assigned to large corporations and does not suggest an unusual pattern of inventor departure.

Original assignee

The original assignee named on the issued patent is Whirlpool Corp. Whirlpool Corp is an American multinational manufacturer and marketer of home appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, microwave ovens, ovens, ranges, and dishwashers. They ship a wide range of products globally under brands like Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, and JennAir. As of today, Whirlpool Corp is an active, publicly traded company (NYSE: WHR).

Assignment timeline

• 2018-03-30 (executed) / recorded 2018-03-30 — Reel 045398/0532
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: TULLER, BARRY E.; BALINSKI, STEVEN B.; BRIGHTBILL, DAVID JASON; FERENCEVICH, JOSEPH T.; ROTH, RYAN KEVIN; SNELL, WILLIAM J.; RODERICK, FREDERICK THOMAS
  • Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
  • Correspondent: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, c/o HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC., P. O. BOX 2245, MORRISTOWN, NJ, 07962-2245.
  • Context: Original assignment from inventors to employer.

The USPTO Assignment Center has no other records for this patent. This indicates that Whirlpool Corporation remains the current owner of US 10,512,385.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 10512385
    2018 : Assigned to Whirlpool Corp
    2019 : Issued to Whirlpool Corp
    2025 : Litigation filed (BSH v Whirlpool)

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Not present. The only recorded assignment is from the individual inventors to Whirlpool Corporation, an operating company that manufactures and markets home appliances. No shell entities are observed in the assignment chain.

2. Known asserter in the chain — Not present. Whirlpool Corporation is an operating company and not identified as a known NPE/patent troll. The litigation context shows Whirlpool Corporation as the defendant in the ongoing case 2:25-cv-01042, with BSH Home Appliances Corporation as the plaintiff. This suggests Whirlpool is being asserted against, rather than being the asserter of this particular patent in this case.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Not present. There is only one assignment in the recorded chain, from the inventors to Whirlpool Corporation. The correspondent is listed as WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, c/o HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.. There is no recurrence of this correspondent on other transfers for this patent.

4. Cascading transfers — Not present. Only a single assignment from the inventors to the original assignee is recorded.

5. Pre-litigation transfer — Not present. The patent was assigned to Whirlpool Corp on March 30, 2018, and issued on December 24, 2019. The first infringement suit (Case 2:25-cv-01042) was filed on October 15, 2025. This gap of several years between the assignment and the litigation filing does not indicate a pre-litigation transfer.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. Whirlpool Corporation is an active, publicly traded company, and there is no indication of bankruptcy in the assignment record or other provided information.

7. Privateering — Unclear. While Whirlpool is an operating company, the lawsuit against it by BSH Home Appliances Corporation (an operating company in the same industry) means Whirlpool is currently a defendant. Without further details about the nature of the litigation and whether Whirlpool has its own assertions against BSH, it's unclear if privateering is a factor.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The patent is currently owned by Whirlpool Corporation, an operating company, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

Operating-company assertion.
The only recorded assignment for US 10,512,385 is from the inventors to Whirlpool Corporation, a large multinational manufacturer of home appliances. The litigation record indicates that Whirlpool Corporation is currently a defendant in a patent infringement case related to this patent, filed by BSH Home Appliances Corporation, another operating company in the appliance industry. This suggests that the patent is currently being asserted against an operating company, rather than by an NPE.

USPTO Assignment Center search for US10512385: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

Analysis of Prior Art Cited in U.S. Patent 10,512,385

This analysis details the prior art references cited during the prosecution of U.S. Patent 10,512,385, as listed in the patent's "References Cited" section. Each reference is evaluated for its potential to anticipate the independent claims of the '385 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

It is important to note that these references were reviewed by the USPTO examiner and the patent was issued over them, indicating the examiner found the claims to be novel and non-obvious.

1. U.S. Patent 2,910,207 (A. W. L. Tulleners, et al.)

• Full Citation: U.S. Patent 2,910,207, "Dish rack for domestic appliance," assigned to General Motors Corp.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published October 27, 1959; Filed September 26, 1957.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a dish rack for a dishwasher with wire supports designed to hold various items. It includes features for organizing plates, bowls, and glasses. The supports can be configured to hold items at an angle to facilitate draining.
• Potential Anticipation Analysis:
  • Claim 1: This reference does not disclose a first rack with a tiered bottom defining an effective inclination angle, nor a second rack below it with a non-tiered, flat bottom wall inclined at a matching parallel angle. The '207 patent focuses on the wire support structures within a single rack rather than a coordinated, multi-level, parallel-inclined rack system.
  • Claim 13 & 17: The '207 patent shows supports for holding glasses but does not teach a bottom wall with the specific combination of a flat central portion, curved mounting portions, and opposing inclined portions. Crucially, it does not disclose a spray tube carried with the dish rack and positioned adjacent to a curved mounting portion to spray along the inclined portions, as required by claims 13 and 17.

2. U.S. Patent 4,064,887 (R. L. Constant, et al.)

• Full Citation: U.S. Patent 4,064,887, "Upper level wash arm system," assigned to Hobart Corporation.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published December 27, 1977; Filed July 27, 1976.
• Brief Description: This patent focuses on a spray arm system for an upper dish rack. It describes how to deliver wash fluid to a spray arm that is part of the movable upper rack, including a docking mechanism to connect the spray arm to the dishwasher's water supply when the rack is pushed in.
• Potential Anticipation Analysis:
  • Claim 1, 13, & 17: While relevant to the general concept of a rack with an integrated sprayer, this patent's teachings are focused on the fluid delivery mechanism and the spray arm itself. It does not disclose the specific rack structures recited in the independent claims. It does not teach the parallel, inclined, tiered/non-tiered two-rack system of claim 1, nor the contoured bottom wall with integrated spray tube of claims 13 and 17. The disclosure of a docking spray assembly is a background feature but does not, by itself, anticipate the specific rack geometry claimed.

3. U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0192578 (J. E. Tapper, et al.)

• Full Citation: U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0192578, "Water spray system for a dishwasher," assigned to Distinctive Appliances, Inc.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published October 16, 2003; Filed April 2, 2002.
• Brief Description: This application describes a dishwasher with multiple spray arms, including spray arms integrated into the dish racks. It shows various configurations for delivering water to different levels and zones within the dishwasher to improve cleaning performance.
• Potential Anticipation Analysis:
  • Claim 1: The '578 application does not disclose a first rack with a tiered bottom and a second rack below it with a non-tiered bottom where both have matching, parallel inclination angles.
  • Claim 13 & 17: This reference discloses the concept of rack-mounted sprayers but does not describe the specific bottom wall structure of the dish rack as claimed. The unique contoured bottom with flat, curved, and inclined portions designed to both hold glasses and mount a spray tube is not present in this prior art.

4. U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0226580 (T. A. Gagliano, et al.)

• Full Citation: U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0226580, "Three rack dishwasher," assigned to Maytag Corporation.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published December 11, 2003; Filed May 28, 2002.
• Brief Description: This application discloses a dishwasher with three racks: a lower rack, an upper rack, and a middle rack. The middle rack is described as being useful for small items, cups, and glasses and can be vertically adjustable. It also contemplates dedicated spray arms for each level.
• Potential Anticipation Analysis:
  • Claim 1: The '580 application teaches a multi-rack system but does not describe the specific geometric relationship of a tiered upper rack and a parallel, inclined, non-tiered lower rack. The racks in this reference are generally horizontal.
  • Claim 13 & 17: This reference does not disclose the claimed contoured bottom wall structure with integrated sprayers. The focus is on the arrangement of three racks, not on a specialized rack geometry for holding glassware with a dedicated, co-located spray system.

5. U.S. Patent 8,287,660 (A. J. Kendrick, et al.)

• Full Citation: U.S. Patent 8,287,660, "Upper spray arm water deflector," assigned to Whirlpool Corporation.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published October 16, 2012; Filed February 3, 2010.
• Brief Description: This patent, assigned to the same entity as the '385 patent, is explicitly referenced in the '385 patent's specification (Figure 7 description) as an example of a "tiered dish rack." It describes a dish rack with a bottom wall constructed in multiple tiers or steps, creating an overall slope.
• Potential Anticipation Analysis:
  • Claim 1: This reference discloses the first element of claim 1—a "first dish rack...having a bottom wall tiered to form multiple levels...defining an effective inclination angle." However, it does not disclose the second key element of claim 1: "a second dish rack located below the first dish rack, the second dish rack having a non-tiered, flat bottom wall that is inclined at an angle" that matches and is parallel to the first rack. Therefore, it does not anticipate the complete combination claimed.
  • Claim 13 & 17: The '660 patent does not disclose the specific contoured bottom wall structures or the integrated spray tubes recited in these claims. Its focus is on the tiered nature of the rack itself.

Obviousness Analysis (35 U.S.C. § 103)

This analysis evaluates whether the inventions claimed in U.S. Patent 10,512,385 would have been obvious to a Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art (PHOSITA) at the time the invention was made, by combining the teachings of the prior art references cited during prosecution.

Independent Claim 1

Claim Summary: A dishwasher with two racks: a top rack with a tiered bottom creating an "effective inclination angle," and a second rack below it with a non-tiered, flat bottom that is inclined at an angle matching and parallel to the top rack.

Proposed Combination of References:

• Primary Reference: U.S. Patent 8,287,660 (Kendrick), which is explicitly cited in the '385 patent's specification (Description, FIG. 7) as disclosing a "first dish rack...having a bottom wall tiered to form multiple levels...defining an effective inclination angle."
• Secondary Rationale: General engineering principles and knowledge in the art regarding dishwasher rack design, as exemplified by concepts in U.S. Patent 2,910,207 (Tulleners).

Analysis:
A PHOSITA would begin with the tiered upper rack taught by Kendrick ('660). The '385 patent itself identifies this reference as disclosing the first key element of claim 1. The tiered structure of Kendrick creates an overall slope or "effective inclination angle" designed to improve space utilization and drainage.

The inventive step in claim 1 lies in combining this tiered upper rack with a second, non-tiered rack below it that has a bottom wall inclined at a matching, parallel angle. While none of the cited references explicitly shows this exact combination, it can be argued as an obvious design choice.

The motivation to combine these features arises from a desire to optimize the entire washing volume. A PHOSITA would recognize two well-known problems in dishwasher design:

1. Poor Drainage: Water can pool on the bottoms of inverted cups and glasses, a problem that angling the items helps solve, as generally taught by Tulleners ('207).
2. Inefficient Space Utilization: Racks must be designed to accommodate the maximum number and variety of dishes without interference.

Starting with Kendrick's sloped upper rack, a PHOSITA would naturally consider the design of the rack below it. To improve drainage for items in that lower rack, inclining its bottom surface would be a logical and well-understood step. The motivation to make the lower rack's inclination parallel to the upper rack's effective angle is driven by the need for spatial efficiency and predictable clearance. A parallel arrangement creates a consistent vertical distance between the two racks, which maximizes the usable space for items of a certain height and ensures that the spray arm located between the racks (such as middle spray assembly 28C in FIG.7) has consistent clearance and provides uniform water coverage to the underside of the upper rack and the tops of items in the lower rack.

Therefore, combining Kendrick's tiered rack with a flat, sloped lower rack that mirrors the upper rack's angle would be an obvious modification to a skilled artisan seeking to improve drainage and spatial efficiency throughout the entire dishwasher tub.

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Independent Claims 13 and 17

Claim Summary (Claim 13 & 17): These claims describe a movable dish rack with a specially contoured wire bottom designed to hold glasses at an incline. The bottom structure features inclined portions to "cradle" the glasses and a "contoured" or "curved" portion that serves two purposes: (1) it acts as a stop to prevent the glasses from sliding, and (2) it serves as a mounting point for a spray tube that is carried with the rack and sprays water into the interior of the angled glasses.

Proposed Combination of References:

• Primary Reference: U.S. Patent 2,910,207 (Tulleners), which teaches using wire supports to hold glassware at an angle to facilitate drainage.
• Secondary Reference: U.S. Patent 4,064,887 (Constant), which teaches a spray arm system integrated into a movable upper dish rack, including a docking mechanism to supply it with water.

Analysis:
A PHOSITA addressing the known problem of ineffective cleaning and drying of glassware would be aware of two key solutions from the prior art:

1. Angling Glassware: Tulleners ('207) discloses arranging wire tines to support glasses at an angle, which improves the drainage of water and cleaning solution. This directly teaches the concept of creating inclined supports within a rack to hold glasses.
2. Dedicated Sprayers: Constant ('887) teaches the benefits of a dedicated sprayer for an upper rack. The '385 patent itself notes that with glasses oriented downwards, general sprayers may provide insufficient water to their interiors. Constant shows it is known to integrate a sprayer directly with a movable rack to improve cleaning in that specific zone.

The motivation to combine these two known concepts is strong and direct. A PHOSITA, recognizing that the angled orientation taught by Tulleners ('207) can shield the interior of glasses from the main spray arms, would be motivated to add a dedicated sprayer to target these shielded areas. The solution of adding a rack-mounted sprayer is taught by Constant ('887).

The specific geometry described in claims 13 and 17—where a single "contoured" wireform both supports the base of the glass and serves as a mounting point for the spray tube—can be seen as an obvious implementation of this combined concept. In designing a wire rack, it is a standard practice to make components multifunctional to save space and material. A skilled rack designer, tasked with placing a spray tube (from Constant) adjacent to a row of angled glasses (from Tulleners), would find it an efficient and logical design choice to shape the wire support to both prevent the glass from sliding and to provide a secure mounting location for the tube. This would be considered routine design optimization rather than a non-obvious inventive leap.

Therefore, the combination of angling glasses for drainage (Tulleners '207) and adding a dedicated, rack-mounted sprayer for targeted cleaning (Constant '887) would have rendered the inventions of claims 13 and 17 obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Patent Term and Expiration for US 10,512,385

As of May 1, 2026, the following details pertain to the term and family of U.S. Patent No. 10,512,385.

• Patent Term Adjustments or Extensions (PTA/PTE): Based on a review of the patent's prosecution history and filing dates, there have been no Patent Term Adjustments (PTA) or Patent Term Extensions (PTE) granted for this patent. The term has not been extended beyond the standard statutory period.

• Projected Expiration Date: The patent's term is calculated from the earliest non-provisional application in its family, which is U.S. Application No. 14/620,688, filed on February 12, 2015. The standard 20-year term expires on February 12, 2035. This expiration date is contingent upon the timely payment of all required maintenance fees. The 4th-year maintenance fee was paid on May 16, 2023. The next fee payment is due at the 8-year mark, by December 24, 2027.

Application History and Related Family Members

The '385 patent is part of a family of applications that claim priority to a provisional application filed in 2014. The relationships are detailed below.

Priority Application Chain:

1. U.S. Provisional Application 61/946,101: Filed on February 28, 2014. This is the earliest priority date for the entire patent family.
2. U.S. Application 14/620,688: Filed on February 12, 2015. This was the first non-provisional application in the chain. It was later abandoned.
3. U.S. Application 15/416,687: Filed on January 26, 2017, as a continuation of the '688 application. This application issued as U.S. Patent 10,349,804.
4. U.S. Application 15/941,761: Filed on March 30, 2018, as a continuation of the '687 application. This application issued as the patent in question, U.S. Patent 10,512,385.

Continuation Application:

• A subsequent continuation application was filed from the '385 patent:
  • U.S. Application 16/686,862: Filed on November 18, 2019. This application issued as U.S. Patent 11,534,047.

There are no divisional applications related to this patent.

Patent Family Summary:

• U.S. Patent 10,512,385 B2: The subject patent.
• U.S. Patent 10,349,804 B2: A parent patent in the family.
• U.S. Patent 11,534,047 B2: A child patent that is a continuation of the '385 patent.
• European Patent EP 2912983 B1: The European counterpart to this patent family.

Defensive Disclosure Document for Innovations in Dishwasher Rack Technology

Publication Date: May 1, 2026
Field: Domestic and Industrial Cleaning Appliances
Technology Area: Dishwasher Racks, Fluid Dynamics in Cleaning, Smart Appliances, Automated Washing Systems.

This document discloses a series of derivative inventions and improvements based on the core concepts described in U.S. Patent 10,512,385. The purpose of this disclosure is to place these concepts into the public domain, thereby establishing them as prior art for patent examination purposes.

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Part 1: Derivatives of Coordinated, Parallel-Inclined Rack Systems

This section expands upon the concept of a dishwasher system comprising a first (e.g., upper) rack with a tiered bottom defining an effective inclination angle, and a second (e.g., lower) rack with a non-tiered, flat bottom wall inclined at a matching and parallel angle, as generally described in Claim 1 of US 10,512,385.

1.1 Material & Component Substitution

Derivative 1.1.1: Shape-Memory Alloy Rack with Thermal Actuation

• Enabling Description: The wire structure of the first, tiered dish rack is fabricated from a nickel-titanium alloy (Nitinol) trained to have a shape memory effect. At room temperature (the "martensite" phase), the tiered sections of the rack are collapsed into a flat, horizontal plane, allowing for easier loading of bulky items. Upon the introduction of hot water (above ~50°C) during the initial rinse cycle, the alloy transitions to its "austenite" phase, causing the pre-programmed "memory" of the tiered structure to emerge. The rack automatically forms into its designed tiered configuration with a specific effective inclination angle. The lower rack, mechanically linked to the upper rack's support slides, is simultaneously tilted to a parallel angle by a simple cam mechanism activated by the upper rack's transformation. This provides the functional benefits of the parallel inclination only when thermally activated during a wash cycle.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      [*] --> Loading
      Loading: Upper Rack is Flat (Martensite)
      Lower Rack is Horizontal
      Loading --> Washing: Heat > 50°C
      Washing: Upper Rack transforms to Tiered/Inclined (Austenite)
      Washing: Cam mechanism tilts Lower Rack to parallel angle
      Washing --> Cooling: Cycle Ends
      Cooling: Upper Rack returns to Flat
      Cooling: Lower Rack returns to Horizontal
      Cooling --> [*]
  

Derivative 1.1.2: Rack with Superhydrophobic and Oleophobic Surfaces

• Enabling Description: The wire frame of both the upper tiered rack and the lower inclined rack is coated with a nano-textured silica-based superhydrophobic and oleophobic coating. This coating creates a high contact angle (>150°) for both water and oils. The geometric inclination of the racks, as described in the base patent, is combined with this material science enhancement. The inclination provides the macro-level drainage path, while the superhydrophobic surface prevents the formation of residual droplets ("pinning"), ensuring near-perfect water sheeting and residue-free drying. This synergy reduces the energy required for heated drying cycles and minimizes spotting on glassware.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[Water Spray] --> B{Dishware on Racks};
      B --> C[Macro-Drainage via Inclination];
      C --> D[Micro-Drainage via Superhydrophobic Surface];
      D --> E{Water Sheeting Effect};
      E --> F[Reduced Droplet Pinning];
      F --> G[Spot-Free Drying];
  

1.2 Operational Parameter Expansion

Derivative 1.2.1: Industrial Scale Conveyor-Belt Washing System

• Enabling Description: This variation applies the core concept to a continuous-feed, industrial washing machine for applications like bottling plants or pharmaceutical vial cleaning. The "first rack" is a continuous conveyor belt with a surface molded into a series of transverse, tiered levels. The entire conveyor path is inclined, creating an "effective inclination angle." Below this primary conveyor, a "second rack" (a fixed, non-tiered, and perforated catch-pan) is positioned at a precisely parallel angle. This lower pan catches falling debris and drains cleaning fluid, while a series of high-pressure sprayers are located between the conveyor and the pan, ensuring consistent spray distance and angle to the items on the tiered belt.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  graph LR
      subgraph Washing Tunnel
          direction LR
          A(Load Zone) --> B[Tiered Conveyor Belt];
          subgraph Cleaning_Chamber
              B -- Inclined at Angle X --> C[Washing Zone];
              D[Spray Nozzles] --> C;
              E[Inclined Catch Pan] -- Parallel at Angle X --> F(Drainage);
          end
          C --> G(Unload Zone);
      end
  

Derivative 1.2.2: Cryogenic Decontamination Chamber

• Enabling Description: A sealed chamber for cryogenic cleaning uses a tiered rack system to support sensitive electronic components or medical implants. The upper rack is tiered to expose maximum surface area. The "treating liquid" is a spray of liquid nitrogen (LN2) or crushed CO2 pellets. The entire rack assembly, including the parallel-inclined lower rack (which is a solid, non-tiered surface in this case), is made from 316L stainless steel to withstand cryogenic temperatures. The parallel inclination ensures that the super-cooled contaminants, which become brittle upon contact with the cryo-agent, are shed from the parts and slide down the surfaces of both racks to a collection hopper, preventing re-contamination.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant Controller;
      participant LN2_Spray;
      participant Tiered_Rack;
      participant Parallel_Pan;
  
      Controller->>LN2_Spray: Activate Spray;
      LN2_Spray->>Tiered_Rack: Apply Cryogenic Agent;
      Note over Tiered_Rack: Contaminants Freeze & Fracture;
      Tiered_Rack->>Parallel_Pan: Fractured Contaminants Fall via Gravity;
      Parallel_Pan->>Controller: Evacuate Contaminants from Hopper;
  

1.3 Cross-Domain Application

Derivative 1.3.1: Aerospace Turbine Blade Chemical Finishing

• Enabling Description: A system for chemical etching or coating of complex-shaped turbine blades. A first, upper rack is custom-tiered, with each tier having fixtures to hold blades of a specific size and geometry. The tiered structure creates an effective inclination for optimal drainage of corrosive etchants. Below it, a second, non-tiered rack is inclined at a parallel angle and serves as a drip tray and secondary electrode (for electro-chemical processes). The parallel configuration is critical for maintaining a uniform electric field and ensuring consistent chemical exposure across all blades.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  graph TD
      subgraph Etching_Tank
          A[Chemical Inlet] --> B{Spray Manifold};
          B --> C[Tiered Rack with Turbine Blades];
          C --> D[Parallel Inclined Drip Tray/Electrode];
          D --> E[Chemical Outlet];
      end
      style C fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
      style D fill:#ccf,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
  

Derivative 1.3.2: Vertical Farming Nutrient Delivery System

• Enabling Description: A hydroponics system for vertical farming. The "first rack" is a series of tiered grow beds, creating an overall slope. This allows for gravity-fed nutrient-film technique (NFT) irrigation. The "second rack" is a parallel-inclined, non-tiered root channel and collection gutter located directly beneath the grow beds. This parallel geometry ensures a consistent vertical distance between the plant roots and the nutrient channel, promoting uniform root development and preventing waterlogging or dry spots, while efficiently recycling the nutrient solution.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  graph LR
      A[Nutrient Reservoir] --> B(Pump);
      B --> C{Top of Tiered Grow Bed};
      subgraph Grow_Tower
          C -- Gravity Flow --> D[Tier 2];
          D --> E[Tier 3];
      end
      E -- Runoff --> F[Parallel Collection Gutter];
      F --> A;
      style C fill:#9f9,stroke:#333
      style D fill:#9f9,stroke:#333
      style E fill:#9f9,stroke:#333
  

1.4 Integration with Emerging Tech

Derivative 1.4.1: AI-Optimized Adaptive Rack Geometry

• Enabling Description: The upper rack consists of multiple, independently-actuated tiers. Each tier is mounted on a pivot and driven by a small stepper motor. The lower rack is mounted on a separate motorized tilting mechanism. An internal camera and a series of piezoelectric load sensors in the rack's base provide data to an AI model. The model identifies the types and positions of the dishes loaded. It then calculates the optimal "effective inclination angle" for the upper rack to maximize water exposure and drainage for that specific load. The AI directs the stepper motors to adjust the tiers accordingly and simultaneously adjusts the lower rack to maintain the parallel orientation, thus dynamically optimizing the dishwasher's internal geometry for every cycle.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant User;
      participant Vision_System;
      participant AI_Controller;
      participant Rack_Actuators;
  
      User->>Vision_System: Loads Dishes;
      Vision_System->>AI_Controller: Send Image & Weight Data;
      AI_Controller->>AI_Controller: Calculate Optimal Inclination Angles;
      AI_Controller->>Rack_Actuators: Adjust Upper Tiers & Lower Rack Angle;
      Rack_Actuators-->>AI_Controller: Acknowledge Position;
      AI_Controller->>User: Signal "Ready to Wash";
  

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Part 2: Derivatives of Glassware Rack with Integrated Sprayer

This section expands upon the concept of a dish rack with a specifically contoured bottom wall for holding glasses at an incline, which also integrates a mounting feature for a dedicated spray tube that moves with the rack, as generally described in Claims 13 and 17 of US 10,512,385.

2.1 Material & Component Substitution

Derivative 2.1.1: Flexible Elastomeric Spray Manifold

• Enabling Description: The rigid spray tube is replaced with a high-durometer, food-grade silicone extrusion that functions as a flexible manifold. This manifold is press-fit into the "curved mounting portion" of the wire rack. Instead of discrete nozzles, the manifold has a series of laser-drilled micro-perforations angled towards the interior of the supported glassware. This design creates a fine, conical mist rather than a hard jet, providing more gentle but comprehensive coverage for delicate stemware. The flexibility of the material makes it more resilient to clogs from mineral deposits and less prone to damage.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[Water Inlet Dock] --> B[Flexible Silicone Manifold];
      B -- Seated in Curved Rack Portion --> C{Micro-perforations};
      C -- Conical Mist --> D((Interior of Glass));
      style B fill:#bde,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
  

Derivative 2.1.2: Translucent Rack with Integrated Turbidity Sensing

• Enabling Description: The dish rack is injection-molded from a high-temperature, translucent polymer such as polysulfone (PSU). An infrared (IR) LED and a phototransistor are embedded at opposite ends of the "curved mounting portion." This creates an active optical beam that passes through the wash water being agitated near the base of the glassware. The spray tube, also mounted along this path, has nozzles that create a vortex inside the glasses, drawing out soil. As soil is released, it attenuates the IR beam. The controller measures this attenuation to determine the real-time soil level and modulates the flow to the spray tube, continuing the spray until the water runs clear.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant Rack_Controller;
      participant IR_LED;
      participant Phototransistor;
      participant Spray_Tube;
      participant Glass;
  
      Rack_Controller->>IR_LED: Activate;
      IR_LED->>Phototransistor: Emit IR Beam;
      Spray_Tube->>Glass: Spray & Release Soil;
      Note over Phototransistor: Soil Attenuates Beam;
      Phototransistor->>Rack_Controller: Report Light Level;
      Rack_Controller->>Spray_Tube: Adjust Pressure Based on Soil Level;
  

2.2 Operational Parameter Expansion

Derivative 2.2.1: Rack with Integrated Ultrasonic Transducers

• Enabling Description: The "spray tube" is replaced by a solid-state cleaning system. A series of piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers are hermetically sealed and bonded along the "curved mounting portion" of the rack's bottom. When the rack is docked in the dishwasher, it connects to a high-frequency power supply. The transducers operate at 40 kHz, inducing acoustic cavitation in the surrounding wash water. The angled portion of the rack holds the glassware in the optimal focal zone of the ultrasonic field, directing the energy inside the glass. The implosion of cavitation bubbles provides microscopic scrubbing action, removing tough residues like lipstick or dried wine sediment without high-pressure water.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[Power Dock] --> B[Ultrasonic Generator];
      B --> C{Piezoelectric Transducers};
      C -- Mounted on Curved Portion --> D[40kHz Sound Waves];
      D -- Propagate through Water --> E{Acoustic Cavitation};
      subgraph Glass_Interior
          E --> F[Micro-bubble Implosions];
          F --> G[Scrubbing Action];
      end
  

2.3 Cross-Domain Application

Derivative 2.3.1: Autoclave Cassette for Surgical Instruments

• Enabling Description: An autoclave cassette for sterilizing hollow instruments (e.g., trocars, cannulas). The cassette's internal frame mimics the "contoured bottom" of the dish rack, holding instruments at a precise angle to ensure no air is trapped. The "spray tube" is a high-pressure steam lance integrated into the cassette. When docked in the autoclave, the lance receives steam from the main chamber and injects it directly into the lumens of the instruments, ensuring complete sterilization of internal surfaces, which is a common point of failure in standard autoclaving.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  classDiagram
      class AutoclaveChamber {
          +SteamInlet
          +DockingPort
      }
      class InstrumentCassette {
          +ContouredInstrumentHolder
          +IntegratedSteamLance
          +ExternalConnector
      }
      class SurgicalInstrument {
          +Lumen (hollow channel)
      }
      AutoclaveChamber "1" -- "1..*" InstrumentCassette : contains
      InstrumentCassette "1" -- "1..*" SurgicalInstrument : holds
      InstrumentCassette ..> AutoclaveChamber : DocksWith
  

Derivative 2.3.2: 3D Printing Resin Removal System

• Enabling Description: A post-processing rack for parts made via vat polymerization (SLA/DLP) 3D printing. The rack's wireframe has inclined portions to hold complex, resin-filled parts and allow uncured photopolymer resin to drain. The integrated "spray tube" is connected to a supply of a solvent like isopropyl alcohol (IPA). It features a series of narrow, high-velocity nozzles. The system sprays solvent into the internal cavities of the prints to flush them thoroughly before a final UV cure. The entire rack, with its integrated spray system, can be moved from the solvent bath to a UV curing chamber.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      Start(Place Resin-Coated Part on Rack) --> A{Position part on inclined supports};
      A --> B[Move Rack to Cleaning Station];
      B --> C{Dock Spray Tube with IPA Supply};
      C --> D[Activate High-Velocity Solvent Spray];
      D --> E{Flush Internal Cavities};
      E --> F[Move Rack to Curing Station];
      F --> End(UV Cure);
  

2.4 Integration with Emerging Tech

Derivative 2.4.1: Machine Vision Guided Cleaning

• Enabling Description: A dishwasher is equipped with an internal, water-proof camera. When the glassware rack is loaded and in the "treating position," the camera captures an image. A machine vision algorithm identifies (a) which slots in the rack are occupied and (b) the type of glassware in each slot (e.g., wine glass vs. heavy tumbler) based on its profile. The integrated spray tube is mounted on a rotational motor. The AI controller directs the spray tube to orient its nozzles specifically towards each detected glass and modulates the spray pressure and duration based on the glass type (e.g., lower pressure for delicate stemware). Nozzles corresponding to empty slots are deactivated.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant Camera;
      participant AI_Controller;
      participant Spray_Tube_Motor;
      participant Nozzle_Valves;
      Camera->>AI_Controller: Send Rack Image;
      AI_Controller->>AI_Controller: Identify Glass Type & Position;
      AI_Controller->>Spray_Tube_Motor: Rotate to Target Glass #1;
      AI_Controller->>Nozzle_Valves: Open Valve for Glass #1;
      AI_Controller->>Spray_Tube_Motor: Rotate to Target Glass #2;
      AI_Controller->>Nozzle_Valves: Open Valve for Glass #2;
  

2.5 The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

Derivative 2.5.1: Fail-Safe Pressure-Actuated Docking

• Enabling Description: The docking mechanism that connects the rack's spray tube to the dishwasher's water supply incorporates a mechanical, pressure-sensitive bypass valve. If the rack is not fully latched into its rearmost position, the fluidic connector is misaligned, and the valve remains closed, preventing water from being pumped. Furthermore, a secondary flow sensor is placed within the spray tube itself. If the controller detects pressure from the main pump but the flow sensor in the tube reads zero (indicating a clog or disconnection), the controller immediately shuts down the recirculation pump and flags a maintenance error. This prevents the system from spraying a high-pressure jet of water into the tub if the spray tube becomes detached from its mount.

• Mermaid.js Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      state "Not Docked" as NotDocked
      state "Docked" as Docked
      state "Washing" as Washing
      state "Fault" as Fault
  
      [*] --> NotDocked
      NotDocked --> Docked : Rack Pushed In & Latched
      Docked --> Washing : Cycle Start
      Washing --> Docked : Cycle End
  
      Washing --> Fault : Pressure_OK AND Flow_Zero
      Docked --> NotDocked : Rack Pulled Out
      Fault --> [*] : User Reset
  

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Part 3: Combination with Open-Source Standards

3.1 Combination with MQTT for Smart Home Integration:

• Enabling Description: The specialized glassware rack is equipped with an embedded ESP32 microcontroller and a flow sensor (e.g., YF-S201) at the water inlet of the spray tube. This microcontroller communicates over Wi-Fi using the lightweight, open-source MQTT protocol. The rack publishes real-time flow rate data to a topic such as dishwasher/rack/glass_sprayer/flow_rate on a local MQTT broker (e.g., Mosquitto). The dishwasher's main controller, or a separate home automation system (e.g., Home Assistant), can subscribe to this topic. This allows for verification of proper operation, detection of clogged nozzles (indicated by reduced flow), and logging of water usage for that specific zone, all using a widely adopted open standard for IoT communication.

3.2 Combination with OPC UA for Industrial Automation:

• Enabling Description: An industrial parts washer, designed for cleaning items like fuel injectors using the rack geometry of Claim 13, is controlled by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The PLC manages the movement of the rack, docking, and activation of the high-pressure solvent spray. This PLC runs an OPC UA server. OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) is the prevailing open standard for machine-to-machine communication in industrial settings. A central factory control system (SCADA/MES) can connect to the washer as an OPC UA client to monitor cycle status, solvent pressure, and receive fault codes, allowing the patented rack system to be integrated seamlessly into a standardized, interoperable "Industry 4.0" environment.

3.3 Combination with KiCad/Gerber Open Hardware Design:

• Enabling Description: The design for the printed circuit board (PCB) that powers the "AI/Machine Vision Guided Cleaning" derivative (Derivative 2.4.1) is created using KiCad, an open-source electronics design automation suite. The schematic, board layout, and bill of materials are made publicly available. The manufacturing output files are generated in the Gerber and Excellon formats, which are the de facto open standards for PCB fabrication. This disclosure provides a complete, open-source, and manufacturable blueprint for the electronic intelligence of the smart rack, teaching a person skilled in the art how to build the control system and integrate it with the mechanical rack, thus placing the specific electronic implementation in the public domain.