DISH RACK
A dish rack having a base, a plurality of substantially straight partition members integral with and emanating upwardly from the base, the plurality of partition members spaced apart and parallel with one another, where the plurality of partition members in combination with the base form a corresponding plurality of channels, where each channel is formed by the base and two adjacent partition members, and a plurality of drainage apertures, each aperture located in the base and in the plurality of channels, each of the plurality of drainage apertures having a longitudinal axis, and each aperture arranged in the base and in each channel such that the longitudinal axis is arranged diagonally with respect to each of the plurality of partition members.
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The invention broadly relates to devices for drying dishes and, more particularly, to a space saving device for drying dishes that is compact for easy storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDish racks are well known articles of manufacture, which provide a user with an area to dry and store various types of kitchenware and flatware, such as plates, bowls, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, etc. Generally, a dish rack includes a base, a plurality of drainage apertures, and a plurality of partition members operatively arranged to hold and dry kitchenware and flatware. The plurality of partition members usually either extend upwardly from the base or extend downwardly from a frame that encloses the perimeter of the dish rack.
A problem with prior dish racks is that they are generally large and bulky, taking up valuable storage space. This is due to the fact that the plurality of partition members is usually larger than necessary to hold kitchenware upright.
Another problem with prior dish racks is that the plurality of drainage apertures is generally parallel to the plurality of partition members, allowing smaller items, such as flatware, to fall through the apertures.
Yet another problem with prior dish racks is that they are generally made from metal materials which tend to corrode over time.
Thus, there is a long-felt need for a dish rack that is compact for easy storage, having a plurality of partition members that are high enough to hold kitchenware upright but not excessively high as to waste storage space. In addition, there is a long-felt need for a dish rack that includes a plurality of drainage apertures arranged diagonally with respect to each of the plurality of partition members. There is also a long-felt need for a dish rack made from a variety of materials in addition to metal, including plastic, ceramic, vulcanized rubber, etc.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is a dish rack having a base, a plurality of substantially straight partition members integral with and emanating upwardly from the base, the plurality of partition members spaced apart and parallel with one another, where the plurality of partition members in combination with the base form a corresponding plurality of channels, where each channel is formed by the base and two adjacent partition members, and a plurality of drainage apertures, each aperture located in the base and in the plurality of channels, each of the plurality of drainage apertures having a longitudinal axis, and each aperture arranged in the base and in each channel such that the longitudinal axis is arranged diagonally with respect to each of the plurality of partition members.
A general object of the invention is to provide a dish rack in a compact form for easy storage, having a plurality of partition members operatively arranged to accommodate the upright holding and drying of kitchenware as well as the holding and drying of flatware.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims.
The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention in view of the accompanying drawing figures, in which:
At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. It also should be appreciated that figure proportions and angles are not always to scale in order to clearly portray the attributes of the present invention.
While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. The present invention is intended to include various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and, as such, may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly”, “very nearly about”, “approximately”, “around”, “bordering on”, “close to”, “essentially”, “in the neighborhood of”, “in the vicinity of”, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.
Adverting now to the figures,
Plurality of partition members 40A, 40B, 40C . . . 40L in combination with base 20 form a corresponding plurality of channels 50A, 50B, 50C . . . 50K. Specifically, channel 50A is formed by base 20 and two adjacent partition members 40A and 40B; channel 50B is formed by base 20 and two adjacent partition members 40B and 40C; channel 50C is formed by base 20 and two adjacent partition members 40C and 40D; channel 50D is formed by base 20 and two adjacent partition members 40D and 40E; channel 50E is formed by base 20 and two adjacent partition members 40E and 40F; channel 50F is formed by base 20 and two adjacent partition members 40F and 40G; channel 50G is formed by base 20 and two adjacent partition members 40G and 40H; channel 50H is formed by base 20 and two adjacent partition members 40H and 40J; channel 50J is formed by base 20 and two adjacent partition members 40J and 40K; and channel 50K is formed by base 20 and two adjacent partition members 40K and 40L.
Although base 20 includes four (4) edges 29A, 29B, 29C, 29D in a preferred embodiment, it should be apparent that base 20 may include a fewer or greater number of edges. Two edges 29A, 29B, 29C, 29D connect at one corner 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D to form perimeter 21 surrounding base 20. Specifically, corner 23A adjoins two adjacent edges 29A and 29D; corner 23B adjoins two adjacent edges 29A and 29B; corner 23C adjoins two adjacent edges 29B and 29C; and corner 23D adjoins two adjacent edges 29C and 29D. Each edge 29A, 29B, 29C, 29D curves downwardly to facilitate water runoff. Each corner 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D is rounded not only for aesthetics but for safety and durability as well. Sharp corners are more prone to cause injuries and more predisposed to chipping and breakage. Although each partition member 40A, 40B, 40C . . . 40L is identical to one another in a preferred embodiment, it should be apparent that partition members may vary in shape and dimensions. In a preferred embodiment, each partition member 40A, 40B, 40C . . . 40L is approximately 24.5 centimeters in length, approximately 1 centimeter in width, and approximately 2.5 centimeters in height (but, obviously, the dish rack and its partition members and channels could be made in other dimensions). Top surface 62 of each partition member 40A, 40B, 40C . . . 40L comprises two edges 60A, 60B which curve downwardly to facilitate water runoff. Top surface 62 curves downwardly at edges 60A, 60B to transition into side walls 66. Although each channel 50A, 50B, 50C . . . 50K is identical to one another in a preferred embodiment, it should be apparent that channels may vary in shape and dimensions. In particular, each channel 50A, 50B, 50C . . . 50K is approximately 24.5 centimeters in length, approximately 1.5 centimeters in width, and approximately 2.5 centimeters in depth. Although each aperture 80A, 80B, etc., is identical to one another in a preferred embodiment, it is obvious that apertures may vary in dimensions. Specifically, each aperture 80A, 80B, etc., is approximately 1.5 centimeters in diameter lengthwise, approximately 0.5 centimeters in diameter widthwise, and approximately 0.1 centimeters in depth.
Dish rack 10 may be made of any substantially suitable material, for example, plastic, ceramic, vulcanized rubber, etc. In a preferred embodiment, dish rack 10 is made of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic. ABS plastic is a common thermoplastic used to make light, rigid, molded products. ABS plastic is preferred for its mechanical toughness, good dimensional stability, ease of fabrication, and resistance to corrosion. While
Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A dish rack comprising:
- a base;
- a plurality of substantially straight partition members integral with and emanating upwardly from said base, said plurality of partition members spaced apart and parallel with one another, wherein said plurality of partition members in combination with said base form a corresponding plurality of channels, where each channel is formed by said base and two adjacent partition members; and,
- a plurality of drainage apertures, each said aperture located in said base and in said plurality of channels, each of said plurality of drainage apertures having a longitudinal axis, and each said aperture arranged in said base and in each said channel such that said longitudinal axis is arranged diagonally with respect to each of said plurality of partition members.
2. The dish rack recited in claim 1, wherein each said partition member is identical.
3. The dish rack recited in claim 2, wherein each said partition member is approximately 24.5 centimeters in length by approximately 1 centimeter in width by approximately 2.5 centimeters in height.
4. The dish rack recited in claim 1, wherein each said channel is identical.
5. The dish rack recited in claim 4, wherein each said channel is approximately 24.5 centimeters in length by approximately 1.5 centimeters in width by approximately 2.5 centimeters in depth.
6. The dish rack recited in claim 1, wherein each said aperture is identical.
7. The dish rack recited in claim 6, wherein each said aperture is approximately 1.5 centimeters in diameter lengthwise by approximately 0.5 centimeters in diameter widthwise by approximately 0.1 centimeters in depth.
8. The dish rack recited in claim 1, wherein said base is rectangular in shape.
9. The dish rack recited in claim 1, wherein each said drainage aperture is oblong in shape.
10. The dish rack recited in claim 1, wherein said base comprises at least three edges, said at least three edges form a perimeter around said base, and said at least three edges are rounded downwardly to facilitate water runoff.
11. The dish rack recited in claim 1, wherein each said partition member has a top surface and said top surface curves downwardly.
12. The dish rack recited in claim 1, wherein said dish rack is made of plastic.
Type: Application
Filed: May 28, 2010
Publication Date: Dec 1, 2011
Applicant: UMBRA LLC (Buffalo, NY)
Inventor: Mauricio AFFONSO (Toronto)
Application Number: 12/790,244