Prior art

Analysis of Prior Art for U.S. Patent 12,543,922

Report Date: April 30, 2026

This analysis details the most relevant prior art cited in U.S. Patent 12,543,922 (the '922 patent). The focus is on references that potentially anticipate the independent claim of the '922 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 102, which requires a single prior art reference to disclose every element of a claim.

The primary invention protected by the '922 patent, as defined in independent claim 1, is an upper dish rack in a dishwasher. The key features of this rack are:

1. A planar portion with plurality of utensil holders configured to horizontally support utensils.
2. A depression with a first angled wall and a second angled wall, which define a first and second set of cup seats, respectively.
3. A specific spatial relationship where the depression extends entirely below a top of the utensil holders in the planar portion.

The following analysis examines key prior art references and their relevance to these claimed features.

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1. US Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0226580 A1

• Full Citation: US 2003/0226580 A1

• Publication Date: December 11, 2003

• Assignee: Maytag Corporation

• Title: Three rack dishwasher

• Brief Description: This publication describes a dishwasher with three vertically spaced dish racks: a lower rack, an upper rack, and a third-level rack positioned above the upper rack. The third-level rack is designed as a shallow drawer for holding cutlery, long utensils, and small items, providing an alternative to a traditional silverware basket.

• Potential Anticipation Analysis:
  This reference is highly relevant as it establishes the concept of a third-level rack for utensils. However, it does not appear to anticipate claim 1 of the '922 patent.

  • What it discloses: It teaches a third rack (analogous to the "upper dish rack" in the '922 patent) designed for horizontally supporting utensils.
  • What it appears to be lacking: The rack described in the '580 publication is primarily a single, shallow tray or planar structure. It does not disclose the combination of a planar portion for utensils alongside a distinct depression featuring first and second angled walls for creating dedicated cup seats. Furthermore, it lacks the claimed spatial relationship where this cup depression extends entirely below the top of the utensil holders. Therefore, it fails to teach multiple key limitations of claim 1.

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2. US Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0298598 A1

• Full Citation: US 2012/0298598 A1

• Publication Date: November 29, 2012

• Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG

• Title: Dish rack, in particular upper rack

• Brief Description: This Miele publication discloses an upper dish rack with features designed to hold various items securely. It includes a recessed or lowered section in the middle of the rack to create additional vertical space, allowing taller items like stemware to be placed in the rack below it. The lowered section itself can be used to hold cups or small bowls.

• Potential Anticipation Analysis:
  This reference is more relevant as it teaches an upper rack with a varied topography, including a lowered section. However, it likely does not anticipate claim 1.

  • What it discloses: It shows an upper dish rack with a depression or lowered portion to accommodate items. This depression could arguably function as a cup seat.
  • What it appears to be lacking: The '598 publication does not appear to teach the specific combination of a planar portion with dedicated horizontal utensil holders adjacent to the depression. While the raised sides of the rack are planar, their primary function is not described as a dedicated zone for horizontal utensil storage as claimed. Most importantly, the reference does not seem to describe the depression as being formed by two distinct angled walls creating two separate sets of cup seats, nor does it specify that the entire depression must lie below the top of any dedicated utensil holders. The core inventive concept in the '922 patent—the specific, side-by-side integration of a horizontal utensil zone and a dual-angled cup zone—is not explicitly taught.

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3. US Patent Application Publication No. US 2019/0290094 A1

• Full Citation: US 2019/0290094 A1

• Publication Date: September 26, 2019

• Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation

• Title: Low profile rack and wash assembly for dishwasher

• Brief Description: This application, from the same assignee as the '922 patent, describes a low-profile, third-level rack assembly. The design focuses on efficient washing and space utilization, featuring an integrated wash arm that directs water spray to the items on the rack. The rack itself has recessed areas for holding various items like cups and utensils.

• Potential Anticipation Analysis:
  As a recent publication from the same assignee, this reference represents the company's own state of the art prior to the '922 patent's priority date. It is highly relevant but does not anticipate claim 1.

  • What it discloses: It teaches a third-level rack with recessed or depressed portions for holding dishware, including cups. It also features an integrated spraying system, which is a feature discussed in the '922 patent's description and covered by some of its dependent claims (e.g., claims 7-15).
  • What it appears to be lacking: Similar to the other references, the '094 application does not appear to teach the specific combination of all elements of claim 1. While it has recessed areas, it does not clearly describe them as a depression formed by a first angled wall and a second angled wall creating two distinct sets of cup seats. Furthermore, it does not explicitly disclose a separate, dedicated planar portion whose primary feature is a plurality of utensil holders for horizontally supporting utensils, with the cup depression located entirely below these holders. The existence of the '922 patent itself, granted to the same assignee after this application, strongly suggests that the specific geometry and combination of features in claim 1 was considered novel over this prior art.