DISH DRYING ASSEMBLY
A dish drying assembly having a base member, a support member, a container and a rack member. The base member includes a top surface, a bottom surface, two sides, a rear end, and a front end having a drainage lip. A sloping support is secured to the base member and slopes downwardly from the rear end to the front end. The container is secured to the base member and has a first horizontal cross-sectional shape. The rack member includes a first opening and a plurality of slats. The first opening has a second horizontal cross-sectional shape that engages the first horizontal cross-sectional shape. A cross-sectional area of the first horizontal cross-sectional shape is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second horizontal cross-sectional shape. Each slat of the plurality of slats is co-planar and parallel to one another, forming a corresponding plurality of slots that are equally spaced apart.
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The invention broadly relates to a drying assembly for kitchenware and, more particularly, to an improved drying assembly for dishware, flatware, etc., that can be disassembled for more efficient cleaning and compact storage and, even more particularly, to an improved means of facilitating water runoff and debris collection, resulting in optimal drying conditions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDish drying racks are well known articles of manufacture, which provide an area to dry and store various types of kitchenware, such as plates, bowls, glasses, utensils, etc.
Generally, a dish drying rack includes a base and a plurality of drainage slots operatively arranged to hold and dry kitchenware. Over the years, many devices have been developed to make the process of cleaning and drying dishes more efficient. Automatic, electric dishwasher appliances are well known, but expensive, and not affordable by everyone. Therefore, there is a continuing need for improved devices and methods for the manual washing and drying of dishes, flatware, cookware, and the like.
After being washed, dishes are usually placed in a drying rack on a countertop adjacent to a sink to expedite the air-drying process. A problem with prior dish drying racks is that some require the use of a towel underneath the rack to prevent water runoff from accumulating on the counter and subsequent spilling over onto the floor.
Another problem with prior dish drying racks is that some do not include a compartment for holding utensils. In these racks, the utensils tend to fall through the drainage slots onto the towel beneath the dish drying rack, and thus, never properly dry. While there are prior dish drying racks that do include a separate utensil compartment, they tend to be large and bulky, and therefore, difficult to clean and store.
Yet another problem with prior dish drying racks is that they are made out of a variety of materials and combinations thereof, such as plastic and various types of steel, i.e., epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated steel, and stainless steel, etc. Coated steel racks are susceptible to corrosion over time as the coating cracks or peels, leaving the underlying steel exposed. Stainless steel is more durable than coated steel but is expensive. Plastic tends to have harmful effects on the environment because large amounts of chemical pollutants are used in the manufacturing of plastic, as well as significant amounts of fossil fuels. In light of environmental concerns, bamboo, a fast-growing member of the grass family, is becoming more popular, having a wide range of applications in construction, home decor and furnishings, flooring, medicine, textiles, etc. Bamboo is found in diverse climates throughout the world and is more sustainable than wood due to its rapid growth rate, which can exceed several feet in a single day. Bamboo is emerging as the one of the preferred “green” building and construction materials because of its ability to rapidly regenerate. It is also very lightweight, water-resistant, durable, and extremely versatile. While bamboo is naturally water resistant, part of the manufacturing process of bamboo includes lamination, which increases its resistance to warping and results in no need for finish work, ultimately decreasing the cost of preparation. Bamboo is also less dense/lighter in weight, than steel and plastic, which reduces shipping expense. Therefore, bamboo is an ideal material for use in products intended for use in residential kitchens where it is subjected to water exposure.
Thus, there is a long-felt need for an aesthetically pleasing dish drying assembly, from which water runoff can flow directly into the sink or other desired area. In addition, there is a long-felt need for a dish drying assembly that includes a utensil compartment and the ability to be dismantled for easy cleaning and compact storage. There is also a long-felt need for a dish drying assembly that is made from a combination of materials, including bamboo, for increased durability, lower weight, and environmental concerns.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is a dish drying assembly having a base member, a support member, a container, and a rack member. The base member includes a top surface, a bottom surface, two sides, a rear end, and a front end having a drainage lip extending downwardly. A sloping support member is secured to the bottom surface of the base member and slopes downwardly from the rear end to the front end. The bottom edge of the drainage lip is positioned at a point in space which is lower than a bottom surface of the sloping support member. This causes the base member to “latch” into the sink basin when placed on a countertop proximate the basin. In a preferred embodiment, the container is removably secured to the base member and has a first horizontal cross-sectional shape. The rack member, which is preferably, but not necessarily made of bamboo, includes a first opening and a plurality of slats. The first opening has a second horizontal cross-sectional shape that slidingly engages the first horizontal cross-sectional shape of the container. The first horizontal cross-sectional shape of the container is substantially similar to the second horizontal cross-sectional shape of the first opening, although a cross-sectional area of the first horizontal cross-sectional shape is slightly smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second horizontal cross-sectional shape. Each of the slats of the plurality of slats are co-planar and parallel to one another, forming a corresponding plurality of slots that are equally spaced and operatively arranged to receive dishes and support the dishes in a substantially upright manner. In a preferred embodiment, the container includes one or more utensil compartments.
A general object of the present invention is to provide a dish drying assembly that includes a sloped base member for drainage of water into a sink basin.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a dish drying assembly that includes a rack member, preferably made of bamboo, located above a base member, for holding dishes, cups, glasses and the like.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a dish drying assembly that includes a container having one or more utensil compartments, where the container slidingly engages and passes through an opening in the rack member.
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. 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,
To facilitate drainage of water runoff, a plurality of channels 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, 34f are integral with top surface 26. Channels 33a, 33b are formed from the space between sides 25a, 25b and inner walls 28a, 28b. Channels 34a, 34b, 34c . . . 34f are formed by a plurality of ribs 35a, 35b, 35c . . . 35e integral with top surface 26. In a preferred embodiment, these ribs are parallel to one another, and equally spaced with respect to one another. Specifically, channel 34a is formed by base member 20, inner wall 28a, and rib 35a; channel 34b is formed by base member 20 and two adjacent ribs 35a and 35b; channel 34c is formed by base member 20 and two adjacent ribs 35b and 35c; channel 34d is formed by base member 20 and two adjacent ribs 35c and 35d; channel 34e is formed by base member 20 and two adjacent ribs 35d and 35e; and channel 34f is formed by base member 20, rib 35e, and inner wall 28b. Ribs 35a, 35b, 35c . . . 35e run parallel to sides 25a, 25b and inner walls 28a, 28b. In the present embodiment, the height of inner walls 28a, 28b is greater than the height of ribs 35a, 35b, 35c . . . 35e, although it is should be apparent that inner walls 28a, 28b and ribs 35a, 35b, 35c . . . 35e of dish drying assembly 10 may vary in height.
Inner walls 28a, 28b extend upwardly from the top surface of the base member, as shown in
In a preferred embodiment, container 40 and drainage lip 23 are located near front end 22. Container 40 has top edge 41 having a first horizontal cross-sectional shape and including compartments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, which are separated by plurality of partition members 43a, 43b, 43c. Container 40 also has tabs 45a and 45b located on opposite sides of container 40.
Rack member 50 comprises a plurality of slats 56a, 56b, . . . 56n (partially shown in
As described previously, the second horizontal cross-sectional shape of first opening 54 is substantially similar to the first horizontal cross-sectional shape of container 40 with the cross-sectional area of the second horizontal cross-sectional shape being slightly larger than the cross-sectional area of the second horizontal cross-sectional shape. The slightly larger cross-sectional area of second horizontal cross-sectional shape is illustrated by space 55.
Dish drying assembly 10 is disassembled by lifting rack member 50 up and over container 40 and by detaching tab 45 of container 40 from slots 37a, 37b of base member 20. Once disassembled, base member 20, container 40 and rack member 50, can be cleaned efficiently and stored compactly.
In general, base member 20, sloping support member 30, container 40, and rack member 50 may be made of any substantially suitable material. In a preferred embodiment, base member 20, sloping support member 30, and container 40 are comprised of a substantially rigid and water resistant material, such as plastic, so those components can endure rigorous use and avoid premature wear. In a preferred embodiment, rack member 50 is made of a durable, versatile, and water resistant material, such as bamboo, so a person can frequently use dish drying assembly 10 without the possibility of warping due to water damage.
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 drying assembly, comprising: smaller in cross-sectional area than said second horizontal cross-sectional shape of said first opening, so that said container slidingly engages said first opening of said rack member.
- a base member having a top surface, bottom surface, front end, rear end and two sides, said front end having a drainage lip extending downwardly therefrom;
- a sloping support member fixedly secured to the bottom of said base member and operatively arranged to slope said base member downwardly from said rear end to said front end;
- a container secured to said base member and extending upwardly therefrom, said container having a first horizontal cross-sectional shape; and,
- a rack member having a first opening and a plurality of slats, said first opening having a second horizontal cross-sectional shape, where said first horizontal cross-sectional shape of said container is substantially similar to but.
2. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of slats are co-planar and parallel to one another, and said plurality of slats form a corresponding plurality of slots, wherein said slots are equally spaced with respect to one another and operatively arranged to receive a dish and support said dish in a substantially upright manner.
3. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said base member further comprises a plurality of inner walls; said inner walls are parallel to said two sides, and said inner walls are perpendicularly arranged with respect to said bottom surface and extend upwardly from said bottom surface.
4. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said base member is substantially rectangular in shape.
5. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said inner walls are parallel to one another and said inner walls are longitudinally arranged within said base member.
6. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said top surface comprises a plurality of ribs extending upwardly therefrom, wherein said ribs are evenly spaced to form channels, wherein said channels are operatively arranged to enable water to drain in the direction of said drainage lip.
7. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said container is located at said front end of said base member.
8. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said container is located at said rear end of said base member.
9. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said container comprises a plurality of compartments.
10. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said compartments are separated by a plurality of partitions.
11. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein each said compartment contains a plurality of drainage apertures.
12. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said base member and said container are made of a substantially rigid material.
13. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said substantially rigid material is plastic.
14. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said rack member further comprises a pair of side rails and a pair of end rails; wherein said end rails are arranged parallel to said plurality of slats, said side rails are separated by a length of said plurality of slats and said side rails are perpendicularly arranged to said plurality of slats.
15. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein said pair of side rails are operatively arranged to rest upon said inner walls of said base member.
16. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein said end rail distal from said drainage lip abuts against said rear end of said base member.
17. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said rack member is made of bamboo material.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 3, 2010
Publication Date: Jun 7, 2012
Applicant: UMBRA LLC (Buffalo, NY)
Inventor: Alan WISNIEWSKI (Toronto)
Application Number: 12/960,082