DISH RACK

Abstract

A deformable and foldable dish rack system for drying items is disclosed. In one embodiment, a dish rack system includes a deformable dish rack and an underlying portion. The deformable dish rack may be of a flexible material that may be deformed from a first planar shape used when storing the dish rack system to a second non-planar shape that may support and maintain the position of items for drying. An underlying portion may underlie the dish rack and may be of a material that may absorb liquids from drying items positioned on the dish rack. The dish rack, once deformed into a second shape used for drying items, may be connected to the underlying portion such that the connection between the dish rack and the underlying portion maintains the deformation of the dish rack in the second shape.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/067,076, filed on Oct. 22, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A kitchen area may be equipped with equipment and installations for food preparation, cooking, and related functions such as dishwashing and cleaning Kitchen areas vary greatly in terms of size and equipment. A commercial restaurant kitchen may include a larger sized kitchen area with heavy-duty equipment not found in smaller kitchens, such as commercial ovens, walk-in refrigeration, and commercial dishwashers, and may include a larger amounts of work surfaces and surface areas used for food preparation, equipment placement, and equipment storage, such as countertops and tables. Compact kitchen spaces and kitchenettes may include a refrigerator, microwave, hotplate, and a limited amount of counter space for working and equipment placement, as well as a limited amount storage space for storing food and equipment. Dish racks for drying dishes and utensils are common in kitchen areas of all sizes. In areas of limited space, a dish rack may occupy counter space preventing the use of the counter space for other functions. Storage of a dish rack may be difficult in areas of limited space.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a dish rack system is provided, the dish rack system comprising: a dish rack, the dish rack a planar member configured to deform from a planar first shape for storage to a non-planar second shape for supporting and maintaining the drying position of an item, the dish rack comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a longitudinal axis; a transverse axis; a first long edge; a second long edge; and at least one aperture extending through the top surface to the bottom surface; and an underlying portion, the underlying portion a planar member comprising: an upper surface configured to underlie the dish rack; a bottom surface configured to contact a work surface supporting the dish rack system; and a connection hardware positioned on the upper surface configured to secure the dish rack to the underlying portion; wherein a compressive force applied to the long edges and toward the longitudinal axis deforms the dish rack from the first shape to the second shape such that the bottom surface of the dish rack does not contact the upper surface of the underlying portion when deformed to the second shape so as to define an air gap between the bottom surface of the dish rack and the upper surface of the underlying portion; and wherein the connection hardware on the upper surface of the underlying portion is configured to maintain the compressive force applied to the long edges to maintain the second shape when the dish rack is connected to the connection hardware on the underlying portion.

In another embodiment, a dish rack system for drying items and operable to deform from a first shape used for storage to a second shape used to support an item and maintain an item in a drying position is provided, the dish rack system comprising: a dish rack, the dish rack a planar member comprised of a flexible material and configured to deform from a planar first shape used for storage to a semicylindrical second shape used to support and maintain the items in a drying position, the dish rack comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a longitudinal axis; a transverse axis; a first long edge; a second long edge; a connection strip comprising a raised tab connector on the top surface, the connection strip extending along each of the first long edge and the second long edge; and two or more apertures extending through the top surface to the bottom surface; an underlying portion, the underlying portion a planar member comprising: an upper surface configured to underlie the dish rack; a bottom surface configured to contact a work surface supporting the dish rack system; and a slot connector attached to the upper surface of the underlying portion, the slot connector configured to engage the raised tab connector to secure the dish rack to the upper surface of the underlying portion; wherein the connection strip further comprises a flexible connection between the connection strip and the dish rack, the flexible connection configured to translate the connection strip relative to the dish rack to position and engage the raised tab connector to the slot connector; and wherein a compressive force applied to the long edges and toward the longitudinal axis deforms the dish rack from the first shape to the second shape such that the bottom surface of the dish rack while in the second shape does not contact the upper surface of the underlying portion so as to define an air gap between the bottom surface of the dish rack and the upper surface of the underlying portion; and wherein the raised tab connector engaging the slot connector is configured to maintain the compressive force applied to the long edges of the dish rack to maintain the second shape of the dish rack when the dish rack is connected to the underlying portion; and wherein each of the two or more apertures comprises an aperture edge configured to contact an item inserted into the aperture, the two or more apertures configured to receive an insertion of an item external to the top surface through the aperture and further into the air gap when the dish rack is in the second shape, and wherein the item is further supported and maintained in the drying position relative to the dish rack by a contact between the item and the aperture edge, and by a contact between the item and the upper surface of the underlying portion; and wherein the two or more apertures are of a capsule shape, the two or more capsule-shaped apertures extending laterally in a direction parallel to the transverse axis and toward the long edges, the two or more capsule-shaped apertures configured to receive an item and maintain the item in a drying position, each capsule-shaped aperture separated from another by a rib, the rib extending laterally in the direction parallel to the transverse axis from around the first long edge to around the second long edge, the rib configured to compensate for a force generated by the contact between the item and the aperture edge; and wherein the underlying portion is comprised of an absorbent material configured to absorb a liquid runoff contacting the underlying portion.

In another embodiment, a dish rack system for drying items and operable to deform from a first shape used for storage to a second shape used to support an item and maintain an item in a drying position is provided, the dish rack system comprising: a dish rack system for drying items and operable to deform from a first shape used for storage to a second shape used to support an item and maintain an item in a drying position is provided, the dish rack system comprising: a dish rack, the dish rack a planar member comprised of a flexible material and configured to deform from a planar first shape used for storage to a semicylindrical second shape used to support and maintain the items in a drying position, the dish rack comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a longitudinal axis; a transverse axis; a first long edge; a second long edge; a connection strip comprising a raised tab connector on the top surface, the connection strip extending along each of the first long edge and the second long edge; and two or more apertures extending through the top surface to the bottom surface; an underlying portion, the underlying portion a planar member comprising: an upper surface configured to underlie the dish rack; a bottom surface configured to contact a work surface supporting the dish rack system; and a slot connector attached to the upper surface of the underlying portion, the slot connector configured to engage the raised tab connector to secure the dish rack to the upper surface of the underlying portion; wherein the connection strip further comprises a flexible connection between the connection strip and the dish rack, the flexible connection configured to translate the connection strip relative to the dish rack to position and engage the raised tab connector to the slot connector; and wherein a compressive force applied to the long edges and toward the longitudinal axis deforms the dish rack from the first shape to the second shape such that the bottom surface of the dish rack while in the second shape does not contact the upper surface of the underlying portion so as to define an air gap between the bottom surface of the dish rack and the upper surface of the underlying portion; and wherein the raised tab connector engaging the slot connector is configured to maintain the compressive force applied to the long edges of the dish rack to maintain the second shape of the dish rack when the dish rack is connected to the underlying portion; and wherein each of the two or more apertures comprises an aperture edge configured to contact an item inserted into the aperture, the two or more apertures configured to receive an insertion of an item external to the top surface through the aperture and further into the air gap when the dish rack is in the second shape, and wherein the item is further supported and maintained in the drying position relative to the dish rack by a contact between the item and the aperture edge, and by a contact between the item and the upper surface of the underlying portion; and wherein the two or more apertures are of a capsule shape, the two or more capsule-shaped apertures extending laterally in a direction parallel to the transverse axis and toward the long edges, the two or more capsule-shaped apertures configured to receive an item and maintain the item in a drying position, each capsule-shaped aperture separated from another by a rib, the rib extending laterally in the direction parallel to the transverse axis from around the first long edge to around the second long edge, the rib configured to compensate for a force generated by the contact between the item and the aperture edge; and wherein the underlying portion is comprised of an absorbent material configured to absorb a liquid runoff contacting the underlying portion; and wherein the dish rack further comprises a first half, a second half, and a living hinge extending along the transverse axis and configured to fold the first half onto the second half when the dish rack is in the first shape for storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example systems, methods, and results, and are used merely to illustrate various example embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of an example dish rack system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of an example dish rack system.

FIG. 3 illustrates an elevated side view of an example dish rack system.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of an example dish rack system.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an example dish rack.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of an example underlying portion.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of an example dish rack.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top perspective view of an example dish rack system.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top perspective view of an example dish rack system.

FIG. 10A illustrates a bottom perspective view of an example dish rack.

FIG. 10B illustrates a top perspective view of an example dish rack.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top perspective view of an example dish rack system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein include dish rack systems. The embodiments of the dish rack systems described herein may include a dish rack that may be configured in a first shape relative to an underlying portion for storage of the dish rack system, and may also be deformed from the first shape to a second shape and connected to an underlying portion for use as a dish rack system to support an item and maintain the item in a drying position until the item has dried, i.e., for use as a dish rack for air drying dishes. The embodiments of the dish rack systems described herein may be used in work areas that may not be able to continuously provide a dedicated space for a dish drying rack and stored when not in use.

With reference to FIG. 1, an example dish rack system 100 is illustrated. Dish rack system 100 may include a dish rack 102 configured to deform from a planar first shape (as illustrated in FIG. 2) to a non-planar second shape, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and attach to underlying portion 104 to form a dish rack system 100 for supporting an item 106 and maintaining item 106 in a drying position. Attachment of dish rack 102 to underlying portion 104 may maintain a force on dish rack 102 used to deform dish rack 102 from a planar first shaped used for storage into a non-planar second shape so that dish rack 102 may be used as a dish rack. For example, deformation of dish rack 102 from a planar first shape to a non-planar second shape may vary the structural arrangements of dish rack 102 varying the functionality of dish rack 102 and allowing for use of dish rack 102 as a dish rack. Likewise, the deformation force applied to dish rack 102 to maintain the non-planar second shape may be removed causing dish rack 102 to return to a planar first shape, for example, to better store dish rack 102 relative to underlying portion 104 and dish rack system 100 as a whole.

Dish rack 102 may include a top surface 108 and a bottom surface 110 and be arranged such that bottom surface 110 is oriented toward upper surface 112 on underlying portion 104. Underlying portion 104 may include upper surface 112 to which dish rack 102 may be connected, and bottom surface 114 in contact with a work surface 116, for example, a table top 116, used to support dish rack system 100.

Underlying portion 104 may be used to prevent and limit a liquid runoff (not shown) on item 106 from contacting a work surface 116. For example, a user of dish rack system 100 may desire to limit contact of rinse water flowing off of plate 106 with work surface 116 by using underlying portion 104 to prevent or limit liquid runoff such as rinse water from contacting work surface 116. Underlying portion 104 may be a foldable absorbent pad.

With reference to FIG. 2, dish rack system 100 with dish rack 102 in a planar first shape is illustrated. Dish rack 102 with a planar first shape may be used to better store dish rack system 100 by utilizing a planar first shape of dish rack 102 to reduce the thickness of dish rack 102. For example, a decrease in a thickness of dish rack 102 may allow dish rack system 100 to be stored in storage spaces previously unavailable because the shape and thickness of dish rack 102 may have previously prevented storage of dish rack system 100 in these storage areas. As configured in a planar first shape, dish rack 102 may also include a longitudinal axis 118, a transverse axis 120, a first long edge 122, a second long edge 124, end edges 126, a connection strip 128 extending in the direction of long edges 122 and 124, parallel to longitudinal axis 118 and connected to dish rack 102 by a hinged connection 130. Top surface 108 of connection strip 128 may include a connection hardware 132, such as a raised tab connector 132 to interface with, and engage connection hardware 134 on upper surface 112 of underlying portion 104 to connect dish rack 102 to underlying portion 104 once dish rack 102 is deformed from a planar first shape to a non-planar second shape. The connection of dish rack 102 to underlying portion 104 via connection hardwares 132 and 134 may maintain the compressive force acting on dish rack 102 causing the deformation, such that the deformation may be maintained when dish rack 102 is attached to underlying portion 104.

Dish rack 102 may include apertures with different shapes such as elliptical-shaped aperture 136, and capsule-shaped aperture 138. Different aperture shapes may be used for items 106 with different geometries and shapes to best support and maintain a position of item 106 within dish rack 102. For example, plate 106 as illustrated in FIG. 1, may be better suited for positioning within capsule-shaped aperture 138 to maintain plate 106 in an upright drying position to improve the air drying of plate 106 by increasing an effect that gravity may play on rinse water remaining on the surfaces of plate 106 as plate 106 is positioned in dish rack 102 to dry.

With reference to FIG. 3, an example dish rack system 100 illustrating additional translation of underlying portion 104 to reduce the size of dish rack system 100 for storage is provided. Underlying portion 104 may include a first half 140 and a second half 142 connected to each other to form underlying portion 104 as a whole via fold 144. An upper surface 112 of first half 140 may be folded via fold 144 onto an upper surface 112 of second half 142 to reduce an area of underlying portion 104 for storage. Dish rack 102 may be positioned between first half 140 and second half 142, when first half 140 is folded onto second half 142, when storing a folded dish rack system 100. As described above, dish rack 102 may be caused to return to a planar first shape for storage purposes. Returning dish rack 102 to a first planar shape for storage may maximize storage capabilities of dish rack system 100 by also reducing an overall thickness 146 of folded dish rack system 100.

With reference to FIG. 4, and example dish rack system 100 where dish rack 102 is deformed to the second shape and secured to connection hardware 134 on an upper surface 112 of underlying portion 104 is illustrated. Dish rack 102 may be deformed from a planar first shape to a non-planar second shape by applying compressive force to long edges 122 and 124.

As dish rack 102 is deformed into a non-planar second shape an air gap 148 may be created as the long edges 122 and 124 are brought toward one another as a result of the compressive force applied, decreasing the width 150 between long edges 122 and 124, and increasing the height of air gap 148 as measured from bottom surface 110 of dish rack 102 relative to upper surface 112 of underlying portion 104.

So that dish rack 102 may be easily deformed to produce a semicylindrical shape with an arch-shaped cross-section 152, dish rack 102 may be manufactured from a flexible material such as plastic, that may readily deform when a compressive force is applied to deform dish rack from a planar first shape to a non-planar second shape. Likewise, a dish rack 102 made of a flexible material may return to a planar first shape when the compressive force acting on long edges 122 and 124 is removed. In one embodiment, dish rack 102 is made of a High-density polyethylene (HDPE) material. A thickness of dish rack 102 may be very thin based on material selection, and based on the geometry and shape to which dish rack 102 may be deformed, for example, a semicylindrical second shape with an arched-shaped cross-section 152. Dish rack 102 utilizing an arch-shaped cross-section and secured to a surface, for example, upper surface 112 of underlying portion 104, may be used to increase a rigidity of a structure formed from flexible materials, such as those formed from metals and plastics. Dish rack 102 may be manufactured to include apertures 136 and 138 through a process such as injection molding, or dish rack 102 may be an extruded sheet material where apertures 136 and 138 may be removed from dish rack 102 in a desired shape, for example, through an automated cutting process on a CNC machine.

As dish rack 102 is deformed to a non-planar second shape, capsule-shaped aperture 138 may assume new geometries and dimensions, notably caused by the creation of the height of airgap 148, to create aperture 138 having the height of airgap 148 to support, for example, flat shaped dinnerware 106 such as a plate. Both apertures 136 and 138 may include an aperture edge 154 which may contact item 106 to support and maintain a drying position of item 106 when item 106 is inserted into apertures 136 and 138 and further into air gap 148. Items 106 may also contact upper surface 112 of underlying portion 104 such that upper surface also provides support of item 106. A surface treatment (not shown), for example, a ribbing added to a material comprising upper surface 112, may be used to also limit motion of item 106 relative to upper surface 112. The surface treatment may contact item 106, for example the bumps and ridges of a ribbing, to limit movement of item 106 contacting the surface treatment.

Ribs 156 between capsule-shaped apertures 138 may extend laterally from about the long edge 122 to long edge 124 to provide extra rigidity to dish rack 102 and to counteract forces imparted by items 106 contacting aperture edge 154 when item 106 is positioned in aperture 138. Ribs 156 may be used to increase an overall rigidity of dish rack 102 while in a deformed, non-planar second shape, such that dish rack 102 may be made from a thin, flexible material such as plastic. A thickness of dish rack 102 made of plastic may be about 1 mm (i.e. about 0.04 inches) such that an underlying portion 104 utilizing a same or similar plastic material, to form dish rack system 100 may have a storage thickness as little as 0.125 inches. Use of different materials and thicknesses for dish rack 102 and underlying portion 104 may result in a folded dish rack system 100 having a storage thickness of 0.75 inches. Underlying portion 104 may utilize a material that readily absorbs a liquid such as water, for example, a cotton terrycloth, a synthetic microfiber, and a leather chamois (“shammy”). Underlying portion 104 may be manufactured of a plastic material that may resist and absorption of a liquid. Underlying portion 104 may be comprised of different layers of materials with varying levels of absorption. For example, upper surface directly underlying dish rack 102 may be of a material that readily absorbs a liquid, while bottom surface 114 may be of a liquid impermeable material that may not readily absorb a liquid to prevent a liquid from passing through bottom layer 114 and contacting support surface 116.

With references to FIGS. 5-7, example connection hardwares 132 and 134 for securing dish rack 102 to underlying portion 104 are illustrated. Connection hardware 132 on connection strip 128 may be a raised tab connector 132 with a vertical offset portion 158 and a tab portion 160 extending from the vertical offset portion. With reference to FIG. 2 showing connection strip 128 and raised tab connector 132, tab portion 160 may extend toward longitudinal axis 118 when raised tab connection 132 is oriented relative to top surface 108 of dish rack 102. With reference again to FIGS. 5 and 7, as connection strip 128 may fold and transform about living hinge 130, an orientation of raised tab connector 132 may vary relative to the orientation of connection strip 128, such that tab portion 160 may extend away from the longitudinal axis of dish rack 102 when folded for engagement to a slot connector 134. Slot connector 134 may be secured to upper surface 112 of underlying portion 104 at short edges 161. Raised tab connector 132 may engage slot connector 134 by insertion into slot connector 134 at a proximal edge 162 to connect dish rack 102 to underlying portion 104.

With reference to FIG. 8, an example embodiment of dish rack system 200 is illustrated. Unlike dish rack 102 of dish rack system 100 described above, dish rack 202 of dish rack system 200 may be secured to underling portion 204 without connection hardware on dish rack 202. Underlying portion 204 may have pockets 266 attached to an upper surface 212. Corners 264 of dish rack 202 may be connected into pockets 266 once deformed to secure dish rack 202 to underlying portion 204.

With references to FIGS. 9-11 example embodiments of dish rack system 300 are illustrated. Dish rack system 300 may be similar to dish rack system 100, as described above, but may include a foldable dish rack 302 including a first half 368, a second half 370, and a living hinge 372, such that one half of dish rack 302 may be folded onto the other at transverse axis 320 when dish rack 302 is in a first shape for storage to further reduce a size of dish rack 302 for storage. When deformed from a planar first shape for storage to a non-planar second shape, dish rack 302 may be secured to underlying portion 304 via a hardware connection on dish rack 302 by engaging a hardware connection (not shown) on underlying portion 304, for example, via a raised tab connector 332, similar in operation to raised tab connector 132, as described above.

Unless specifically stated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification, including the attached claims, are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained according to the exemplary embodiments. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

Furthermore, while the systems, methods, and apparatuses have been illustrated by describing example embodiments, and while the example embodiments have been described and illustrated in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict, or in any way limit, the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the systems, methods, and apparatuses. With the benefit of this application, additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details and illustrative example and exemplary embodiments shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. The preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural. To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is employed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising,” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed in the claims (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B, but not both,” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Similarly, when the applicants intend to indicate “one and only one” of A, B, or C, the applicants will employ the phrase “one and only one.” Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” To the extent that the term “selectively” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to refer to a condition of a component wherein a user of the apparatus may activate or deactivate the feature or function of the component as is necessary or desired in use of the apparatus. To the extent that the term “operatively connected” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components are connected in a way to perform a designated function. Finally, where the term “about” is used in conjunction with a number, it is intended to include ±10% of the number. In other words, “about 10” may mean from 9 to 11.

Claims

1. A dish rack system comprising:

a dish rack, the dish rack a planar member configured to deform from a planar first shape for storage to a non-planar second shape for supporting and maintain the drying position of item, the dish rack comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a longitudinal axis; a transverse axis; a first long edge; a second long edge; and at least one aperture extending through the top surface to the bottom surface; and

an underlying portion, the underlying portion a planar member comprising: an upper surface configured to underlie the dish rack; a bottom surface configured to contact a work surface supporting the dish rack system; and a connection hardware positioned on the upper surface configured to secure the dish rack to the underlying portion;

wherein a compressive force applied to the long edges and toward the longitudinal axis deforms the dish rack from the first shape to the second shape such that the bottom surface of the dish rack does not contact the upper surface of the underlying portion when deformed to the second shape so as to define an air gap between the bottom surface of the dish rack and the upper surface of the underlying portion; and

wherein the connection hardware on the on the upper surface of the underlying portion is configured to maintain the compressive force applied to the long edges to maintain the second shape when the dish rack is connected to the connection hardware on the underlying portion.

2. The dish rack system of claim 1, wherein the dish rack is comprised of a flexible material configured to flex to deform the dish rack from the first shape to the second shape when the compressive force is applied to the long edges, and wherein the flexible material is configured to return the dish rack from the second shape to the first shape when the compressive force is removed from the long edges.

3. The dish rack system of claim 1, wherein the dish rack further comprises a connection strip extending longitudinally along the first long edge and the second long edge, the connection strip comprising a connection hardware on the top surface, and a hinged connection to connect the connection strip to the dish rack, wherein the connection hardware on the connection strip is configured to engage with the connection hardware on the upper surface of the underlying portion, and wherein the hinged connection is configured to translate the connection strip relative to the dish rack to position and engage the connection hardware on the connection strip to the connection hardware on the upper surface of the underlying portion.

4. The dish rack system of claim 3, wherein the hinged connection is a living hinge.

5. The dish rack system of claim 3, wherein the connection hardware on the connection strip comprises a raised tab connector, the raised tab connector comprising a vertical portion to offset a tab portion from the top surface of the dish rack, the tab portion extending normal to the vertical portion and in a direction toward the longitudinal axis, and wherein the connection hardware on the upper surface of the underlying portion comprises a slot connector configured to engage the raised tab connector, the loop connector comprising a material with a distal edge, a proximal edge, and two short edges, the material secured to the upper surface of the underlying portion at the two short edges, and wherein the raised tab connector is configured to be inserted into the loop at the proximal edge.

6. The dish rack system of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture further comprises an aperture edge, and wherein the at least one aperture is configured to receive an insertion of an item external to the top surface, through the aperture, and further into the air gap, and wherein the item is further supported and maintained in a drying position relative to the dish rack by a first contact between the item and the aperture edge, and by a second contact between the item and the upper surface of the underlying portion.

7. The dish rack system of claim 6, wherein the at least one aperture is of an elliptical shape, the at least one elliptical-shaped aperture configured to receive the item and maintain the drying position of the item, wherein the item is a utensil.

8. The dish rack system of claim 6, wherein the at least one aperture comprises two or more apertures of a capsule shape, the two or more capsule-shaped apertures extending laterally in a direction parallel to the transverse axis and toward the long edges, wherein the two or more capsule-shaped apertures are configured to receive the item and maintain the drying position of the item, wherein the item is a flat dishware.

9. The dish rack system of claim 8, wherein the two or more capsule-shaped apertures are separated from another capsule-shaped aperture by a rib, the rib extending laterally in the direction parallel to the transverse axis from around the first long edge to around the second long edge, the rib configured to compensate for a force generated by the contact between the flat dishware and the aperture edge to maintain a structural integrity of the dish rack.

10. The dish rack system of claim 6, wherein the upper surface of the underlying portion further comprises a surface treatment configured to limit a movement of the item in a direction substantially parallel relative to the upper surface by a third contact between the item and the surface treatment.

11. The dish rack system of claim 1, wherein the first shape is deformed into a semicylinder-shaped second shape, the semicylinder-shaped second shape comprising an arch-shaped cross-section.

12. The dish rack system of claim 1, wherein the planar member of the underlying portion is of a material configured to resist an absorption of a liquid runoff on the upper surface of the underlying portion.

13. The dish rack system of claim 1, wherein the planar member of the underlying portion is of a fabric material configured to absorb a liquid runoff.

14. The dish rack system of claim 1, wherein the planar member of the underlying portion is comprised of one or more materials, each of the one or more materials comprising a different level of absorption.

15. The dish rack system of claim 1, wherein the planar member of the underlying portion further comprises a first half and a second half, the first half joined to the second half by a fold, and wherein the connection hardware is positioned on only one of the halves such that the dish rack overlies one of the halves when connected to the connection hardware; and wherein one half is configured to fold about the fold and onto the other half when the dish rack is in the first shape for storage, such that the dish rack in the first shape is configured to be positioned between the upper surfaces of the two halves for storage.

16. The dish rack system of claim 15, wherein a combined thickness of the dish rack in the first shape for storage and positioned between the two halves is in the range of about ⅛ of an inch (0.125″) to about ¾ of an inch (0.750″).

17. The dish rack system of claim 1, wherein the dish rack further comprises: a first half, a second half, and a hinged attachment extending along the transverse axis and configured to fold the first half onto the second half when the dish rack is in the first shape for storage.

18. The dish rack system of claim 17, wherein the hinged attachment is a living hinge.

19. A dish rack system for drying items and operable to deform from a first shape used for storage to a second shape used to support an item and maintain an item in a drying position, the dish rack system comprising:

a dish rack, the dish rack a planar member comprised of a flexible material and configured to deform from a planar first shape used for storage to a semicylindrical second shape used to support and maintain the items in a drying position, the dish rack comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a longitudinal axis; a transverse axis; a first long edge; a second long edge; a connection strip comprising a raised tab connector on the top surface, the connection strip extending along each of the first long edge and the second long edge; and two or more apertures extending through the top surface to the bottom surface;

an underlying portion, the underlying portion a planar member comprising: an upper surface configured to underlie the dish rack; a bottom surface configured to contact a work surface supporting the dish rack system; and a slot connector attached to the upper surface of the underlying portion, the slot connector configured to engage the raised tab connector to secure the dish rack to the upper surface of the underlying portion;

wherein the connection strip further comprises a flexible connection between the connection strip and the dish rack, the flexible connection configured to translate the connection strip relative to the dish rack to position and engage the raised tab connector to the slot connector; and

wherein a compressive force applied to the long edges and toward the longitudinal axis deforms the dish rack from the first shape to the second shape such that the bottom surface of the dish rack while in the second shape does not contact the upper surface of the underlying portion so as to define an air gap between the bottom surface of the dish rack and the upper surface of the underlying portion; and

wherein the raised tab connector engaging the slot connector is configured to maintain the compressive force applied to the long edges of the dish rack to maintain the second shape of the dish rack when the dish rack is connected to the underlying portion; and

wherein each of the two or more apertures comprises an aperture edge configured to contact an item inserted into the aperture, the two or more apertures configured to receive an insertion of an item external to the top surface through the aperture and further into the air gap when the dish rack is in the second shape, and wherein the item is further supported and maintained in the drying position relative to the dish rack by a contact between the item and the aperture edge, and by a contact between the item and the upper surface of the underlying portion; and

wherein the two or more apertures are of a capsule shape, the two or more capsule-shaped apertures extending laterally in a direction parallel to the transverse axis and toward the long edges, the two or more capsule-shaped apertures configured to receive an item and maintain the item in a drying position, each capsuled-shaped aperture separated from another by a rib, the rib extending laterally in the direction parallel to the transverse axis from around the first long edge to around the second long edge, the rib configured to compensate for a force generated by the contact between the item and the aperture edge; and

wherein the underlying portion is comprised of an absorbent material configured to absorb a liquid runoff contacting the underlying portion.

20. A dish rack system for drying items and operable to deform from a first shape used for storage to a second shape used to support an item and maintain an item in a drying position, the dish rack system comprising:

a dish rack, the dish rack a planar member comprised of a flexible material and configured to deform from a planar first shape used for storage to a semicylindrical second shape used to support and maintain the items in a drying position, the dish rack comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a longitudinal axis; a transverse axis; a first long edge; a second long edge; a connection strip comprising a raised tab connector on the top surface, the connection strip extending along each of the first long edge and the second long edge; and two or more apertures extending through the top surface to the bottom surface;

an underlying portion, the underlying portion a planar member comprising: an upper surface configured to underlie the dish rack; a bottom surface configured to contact a work surface supporting the dish rack system; and a slot connector attached to the upper surface of the underlying portion, the slot connector configured to engage the raised tab connector to secure the dish rack to the upper surface of the underlying portion;

wherein the connection strip further comprises a flexible connection between the connection strip and the dish rack, the flexible connection configured to translate the connection strip relative to the dish rack to position and engage the raised tab connector to the slot connector; and

wherein a compressive force applied to the long edges and toward the longitudinal axis deforms the dish rack from the first shape to the second shape such that the bottom surface of the dish rack while in the second shape does not contact the upper surface of the underlying portion so as to define an air gap between the bottom surface of the dish rack and the upper surface of the underlying portion; and

wherein the raised tab connector engaging the slot connector is configured to maintain the compressive force applied to the long edges of the dish rack to maintain the second shape of the dish rack when the dish rack is connected to the underlying portion; and

wherein each of the two or more apertures comprises an aperture edge configured to contact an item inserted into the aperture, the two or more apertures configured to receive an insertion of an item external to the top surface through the aperture and further into the air gap when the dish rack is in the second shape, and wherein the item is further supported and maintained in the drying position relative to the dish rack by a contact between the item and the aperture edge, and by a contact between the item and the upper surface of the underlying portion; and

wherein the two or more apertures are of a capsule shape, the two or more capsule-shaped apertures extending laterally in a direction parallel to the transverse axis and toward the long edges, the two or more capsule-shaped apertures configured to receive an item and maintain the item in a drying position, each capsuled-shaped aperture separated from another by a rib, the rib extending laterally in the direction parallel to the transverse axis from around the first long edge to around the second long edge, the rib configured to compensate for a force generated by the contact between the item and the aperture edge; and

wherein the underlying portion is comprised of an absorbent material configured to absorb a liquid runoff contacting the underlying portion; and

wherein the dish rack further comprises a first half, a second half, and a living hinge extending along the transverse axis and configured to fold the first half onto the second half when the dish rack is in the first shape for storage.