Kitchen Utensil Organizer

Abstract

Disclosed is a kitchen utensil organizing device that can be used to store and organize utensils and other articles in an upright orientation. The storage device includes a substantially rectangular container having a bottom, sidewalls, and an open upper end, defining an interior volume. Dividing walls can be removably inserted into the interior volume so as to form a plurality of compartments within the interior volume. The user can insert rectangular dividing walls so as to form a number of compartments of a desired size. The sidewalls of the container include channels thereon that are able to receive the sides of the dividing walls. Furthermore, the exterior of a pair of opposing sidewalls of the container include tracks on a lower portion thereof such that the container can be slidably installed in a cabinet. Thus, the present invention provides a customizable storage device for kitchen utensils.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/944,815 filed on Feb. 26, 2014, entitled “Kitchen Utensil Organizer.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a kitchen utensil organizing device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rectangular container having an interior volume in which a plurality of dividing walls can be positioned. The dividing walls define a plurality of compartments in which utensils and other articles can be stored. The compartments are adapted to store utensils of various sizes in an upright orientation. The dividing walls are removable such that a user can customize the size and number of compartments within the interior volume.

Many people own a variety of cooking utensils and devices adapted to serve various purposes. Kitchen utensils have various shapes and sizes and many such utensils do not fit within conventional horizontal drawers. Some utensils are too wide to fit within a horizontal drawer, or consume too much space therein. Further, horizontal drawers and other typical storage spaces are not adjustable in size and cannot be made to accommodate larger utensils.

Some people store kitchen utensils in an upright position within a larger storage container. However, when multiple utensils are disposed in a container having a single compartment, the utensils can be entangled with one another and may be difficult to separate. Further, the utensils may not be well organized, and as a result the user may have difficulty quickly locating and accessing a particular utensil.

Thus, the present invention provides a kitchen utensil organizer adapted to store utensils of various sizes in an upright orientation. The kitchen utensil organizer comprises a rectangular storage container having a bottom, sidewalls, and an open upper end, defining an interior volume. A plurality of dividing walls can be inserted into the interior volume in order to define a plurality of compartments. The compartments may have a grid-like layout. Further, the dividing walls are removable and the user can select dividing walls that create a desired number of compartments of a particular size. In this way, the user can adjust the kitchen utensil organizer to suit his or her needs. Additionally, a pair of rails or tracks may be disposed in a horizontal orientation on the lower portion of opposing sidewalls of the container that allow the container to be slidably installed in a cabinet.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to storage containers. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to kitchen utensil organizing devices. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

One such device, U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2007/0144987 to Linzing et al. discloses a storage receptacle for holding kitchen utensils in an upright, vertical orientation. The storage receptacle includes a receiving portion pivotally attached to a base and adapted to receive utensils therein. The receiving portion is movable between a first and second position. In the second position, the receiving portion is disposed at an angle relative to the base, and can be locked in such a position. Thus, while Linzing discloses a storage receptacle for holding kitchen utensils, Linzing fails to disclose a storage container with adjustable compartments that allows a user to create compartments of different sizes.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,878,337 to Abdullah discloses a container having multiple chambers. The container has an octagonal shaped base mounted on a support. A plurality of radially extending divider walls extend between the inner and outer walls of the base member to form trapezoidal shaped chambers around a central, inner chamber. The container further includes a plurality of trapezoidal upper chambers. Thus, while Abdullah discloses a storage container with multiple chambers, Abdullah does not disclose a container having removable dividing walls that allow a user to change the size and shape of the compartments therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,511 to Denholtz discloses a storage container for kitchen utensils having annular tiers of storage pockets surrounding a centrally located cylindrical container. The cylindrical container includes apertures on the top thereof that are adapted to support bladed utensils, such as knives. The device can be rotated about the central axis of the cylindrical container. Thus, Denholtz discloses a kitchen utensil storage device that comprises a plurality of compartments, but fails to disclose a storage container having removable dividing walls. Further, the device of Denholtz is not adapted to be positioned within a cabinet drawer such that it is slidable therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,412 to Rosenbauer et al. discloses a dishwasher basket comprising an insert with various compartments separated by walls. The compartments include floors of various heights for loading different silverware or utensils therein. Thus, Rosenbauer fails to disclose a kitchen utensil storage container that is adapted to be slidably secured within a kitchen cabinet or drawer. Further, the device does not disclose the use of removable dividing walls for adjusting the shape and size of the storage compartments.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,474 to Ng discloses a utensil holding device having annular sections that are nested within one another. The annular sections include compartments therein for storing utensils. The annular sections can be arranged in multiple tiers. Thus, Ng fails to disclose a rectangular container having a plurality of dividing walls for creating a desired number of storage compartments of a desired size.

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The devices in the prior art disclose storage containers with multiple compartments, but fail to disclose storage containers with removable dividing walls. Thus, the user is unable to customize the number, shape, and size of the compartments within the container. The present invention provides versatility for the user by allowing the user to customize the configuration of the storage container by inserting and removing dividing walls. Further, the devices in the prior art do not disclose slidable rails or tracks for installing the storage container in a cabinet so that it functions similarly to a drawer.

In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing kitchen utensil organizing and storing devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of kitchen utensil storage devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new kitchen utensil storage device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when organizing and storing a variety of kitchen utensils of different shapes and sizes.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved kitchen utensil organizing device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a kitchen utensil organizing device for organizing a plurality of kitchen utensils in an upright orientation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kitchen utensil organizing device comprising a plurality of compartments adapted to hold kitchen utensils in an organized fashion.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a kitchen utensil organizing device having removable dividing walls so that a user can adjust the number and size of compartments within the device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a kitchen utensil organizing device having slidable rails or tracks for installing the device in a cabinet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kitchen utensil organizing device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the kitchen utensil organizing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the kitchen utensil organizing device as installed in a kitchen drawer.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a dividing wall as positioned for installation in the kitchen utensil organizing device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an overhead view of an embodiment of the kitchen utensil organizing device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the kitchen utensil organizing device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for organizing and storing a variety of kitchen utensils and other articles in an upright orientation. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the kitchen utensil organizing device of the present invention. The present invention relates to a kitchen utensil organizing device 11 comprising a substantially rectangular container having a bottom, sidewalls 19, and an open upper end, defining an interior volume. The container comprises a first end 12 opposite a second end 13, and a first side 14 opposite a second side 15.

The interior volume of the container comprises one or more removable dividing walls 16 extending between said first end 12 and said second end 13, and extending between said first side 14 and said second side 15. In this way, the dividing walls 16 can be arranged so as to define a plurality of compartments 18 within the interior volume. The compartments 18 are organized in a grid-like layout and preferably comprise a square or rectangular cross section. The compartments 18 are each adapted to store one or more utensils 25 therein in an upright, vertical orientation.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the kitchen utensil organizing device as installed in a kitchen drawer. In some embodiments of the present invention, the first side and second side of the container each comprise a rail 17 thereon, wherein each rail 17 extends between said first end 12 and said second end 13. The rail 17 is positioned on a lower portion of the sidewalls 19 and is disposed in a horizontal orientation. The rails 17 can be engaged with a sliding mechanism, such as a pair of roller wheels disposed within a cabinet 21. In this way, the kitchen utensil organizer can be installed in a cabinet, and can slide into and out of the cabinet so as to function similarly to a drawer. This allows a user to have easy and convenient access to his or her utensils. The first end 12 of the container may further include a cabinet façade 37 thereon so that the kitchen utensil organizing device 11 can be discretely held within a cabinet 21.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown perspective view of a dividing wall as positioned for installation in the kitchen utensil organizing device 11 of the present invention. The interior surface of each of the sidewalls of the container comprises a plurality of vertical channels 20 thereon, wherein each of the channels 20 is adapted to receive the sides of the dividing walls. The vertical channels 20 extend from the bottom of the container to the upper end of the container. The channels 20 are preferably spaced at a fixed interval so that compartments of roughly equal size can be formed within the container. Further, the channels 20 on the first end 12 of the container align with channels on the second end 13 of the container, and the channels 20 on the first side 14 of the container align with the channels on the second side 15 thereof.

The dividing walls comprise substantially rectangular panels and include longitudinal dividing walls 22, and latitudinal dividing walls 23. The longitudinal dividing walls 22 comprise a plurality of vertical slots extending from the lower end 31 of the panel towards the upper end 30 thereof. Similarly, the latitudinal dividing walls 23 comprise a plurality of vertical slots extending from the upper end 33 towards the lower end 34 thereof. Preferably, the vertical slots extend approximately half of the height of the panel. The slots are spaced at a regular interval.

Each latitudinal dividing wall 23 is adapted to be inserted into the container so as to extend from a channel on said first end 12 to a channel on said second end 13, such that the dividing wall 23 is parallel to the first and second sides 14, 15 of the container and perpendicular to the first and second ends 12, 13 of the container. The latitudinal dividing wall 23 is inserted such that the lower end 34 thereof contacts the bottom of the container. Thus, the slots 35 on the latitudinal dividing walls 23 extend downward from the upper end 33 thereof. The slots 35 on the latitudinal dividing walls 23 are adapted to engage with the slots 32 on the longitudinal dividing walls 22 so that the dividing walls 22, 23 interlock perpendicularly to one another. The longitudinal dividing walls 22 are positioned so as to extend from a channel 20 on a first side 14 of the container to a channel on the second side 15 of the container, such that the dividing walls 22 are parallel to the first and second ends 12, 13 of the container and perpendicular to the first and second sides 14, 15.

In embodiments of the present invention wherein the container is substantially square in shape, the longitudinal and latitudinal dividing walls may comprise the same dimensions. In this way, the dividing walls could serve as either latitudinal or longitudinal dividing walls depending upon how the dividing walls are oriented within the container. Preferably, the slots on the dividing walls extend half of the height of the dividing wall.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an overhead view of an embodiment of the kitchen utensil organizing device of the present invention. The container 11 is substantially rectangular in shape. The sidewalls 19 comprise channels 20 on an interior surface thereof. Latitudinal dividing walls 23 extend between the first and second ends 12, 13 of the container. Longitudinal dividing walls 22 extend between the first and second sides 14, 15 of the container. In this way, the dividing walls 22, 23 form a plurality of compartments 18 within the interior volume of the container 11. The user can select to add one or more of each of the latitudinal and longitudinal dividing walls 22, 23 so as to create compartments of different shapes and sizes. The dividing walls are secured within the interior volume of the container by positioning opposing sides of the dividing walls within channels 20 on the sidewalls 19 of the container. Further, elongated rectangular panels 38 are provided that can be used to divide a single compartment 18 into two triangular compartments 36.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A kitchen utensil organizing device, comprising:

a rectangular container having a bottom, sidewalls, and an open upper end, defining an interior volume;

wherein said container comprises a first end opposite a second end, and a first side opposite a second side;

a plurality of dividing walls removably positioned within said interior volume so as to define a plurality of compartments therein.

2. The kitchen utensil organizing device of claim 1, further comprising

a plurality of vertical channels disposed on an interior surface of said sidewalls;

said plurality of vertical channels extending from said open upper end to said bottom of said container.

3. The kitchen utensil organizing device of claim 2, wherein

said plurality of vertical channels on said first end are aligned with said plurality of vertical channels on said second end;

wherein said plurality of vertical channels on said first side are aligned with said plurality of vertical channels on said second side.

4. The kitchen utensil organizing device of claim 2, wherein

said plurality of dividing walls comprise rectangular panels;

wherein each of said rectangular panels has a first side and a second side;

wherein each of said first side and second side of said rectangular panels is adapted to be inserted into said plurality of vertical channels.

5. The kitchen utensil organizing device of claim 1, wherein

said rectangular container further comprises a first rail on an exterior surface of said first side on a lower portion thereof, and a second rail on an exterior surface of said second side on a lower portion thereof.

6. The kitchen utensil organizing device of claim 1, wherein

said plurality of dividing walls comprise latitudinal dividing walls and longitudinal dividing walls;

each of said latitudinal dividing walls having a rectangular panel with a plurality of slots extending from an upper end of said panel toward a lower end of said panel;

each of said longitudinal dividing walls having a rectangular panel with a plurality of slots extending from a lower end of said panel toward an upper end of said panel.

7. The kitchen utensil organizing device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of dividing walls comprise at least one latitudinal dividing wall and at least one longitudinal dividing wall;

each of said latitudinal dividing wall and said longitudinal dividing wall having a rectangular panel with a plurality of slots separated at fixed intervals;

wherein said plurality of slots on said latitudinal dividing wall and said plurality of slots on said longitudinal dividing wall are adapted to interlock orthogonally.

8. The kitchen utensil organizing device of claim 7, wherein

said plurality of slots on said at least one latitudinal dividing wall extends from an upper end of said panel of said at least one latitudinal dividing wall to a lower end of said panel of said at least one latitudinal dividing wall;

said plurality of slots of said at least one longitudinal dividing wall extends from a lower end of said panel of said at least one longitudinal dividing wall to an upper end of said panel of said at least one longitudinal dividing wall.

9. A kitchen utensil organizing device, comprising:

a rectangular container having a bottom, sidewalls, and an open upper end, defining an interior volume;

wherein said container comprises a first end opposite a second end, and a first side opposite a second side;

a plurality of vertical channels disposed on an interior surface of said sidewalls;

said plurality of vertical channels extending from said open upper end to said bottom of said container;

wherein said vertical channels on said first end are aligned with said vertical channels on said second end, and wherein said vertical channels on said first side are aligned with said vertical channels on said second side;

a plurality of dividing walls removably positioned within said interior volume so as to define a plurality of compartments therein;

wherein said dividing walls comprise rectangular panels having a plurality of slots thereon, such that one of said slots on a first panel can be engaged with one of said slots on a second panel so that said first and second panels are adapted to interlock orthogonally.