The present disclosure relates to dishware drying racks and methods of directing and collecting water.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Commercial drying racks and drying rack systems are commonly used in food service environments to support a variety of items for air-drying after cleaning. Dishware is one such item that can be supported on a drying rack after cleaning to permit excess rinse water to drain off of the dishware and/or to evaporate from the dishware. As used herein, dishware can include any item used during food service or food preparation such as, for example, pots, pans, trays, bowls, storage containers, preparation containers, utensils, plates, knives, appliances and the like. Such drying racks and drying rack assemblies have found widespread use in industrial, commercial and residential applications.
Many drying racks and drying rack assemblies support the dishware in an elevated position and allow the water to drain from the dishware onto the surface that supports the drying rack. In many instances, the drying racks are placed on or near a sink or are positioned over or near a floor drain. The water that drains from the dishware in these instances collects and/or flows on the surfaces supporting the drying racks before flowing into the drain. Thus, water can collect on the floor and create an undesirable condition, such as a slip hazard for workers that may be working in the vicinity of the drying racks. Further, the surfaces supporting the drying racks may require repeated cleanings to maintain clean, dry and safe working environments.
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
In one example in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, a drying rack for collecting water from one or more pieces of dishware is provided. The drying rack may include a frame and a support shelf removably positioned on the frame. The support shelf is configured for supporting the one or more pieces of dishware. The drying rack may also include a drip tray removably supported by the frame below the support shelf. The drip tray includes a guide surface and defines a drain opening, wherein the guide surface is angled toward the drain opening to guide water toward the drain opening. The drying rack may also include a drip pan bracket supported by the frame. The drip pan bracket may include a pair of pan rails configured to removably receive and position a drip pan below the drain opening to collect the water guided by the guide surface through the drain opening.
In one aspect, the frame may include a rail ledge projecting inwardly from an inner surface thereof, wherein the drip pan bracket includes at least one retention arm with a rail engagement tab and the rail engagement tab engages the rail ledge to support the drip pan bracket on the frame.
In another aspect, the drip tray may include a side wall defining a registration notch, wherein the retention arm of the drip pan bracket may be positioned in the registration notch to locate the drip pan bracket relative to the drain opening.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
An exemplary drying rack system 20 according to the principles of the present disclosure is shown and understood with reference to
With reference to the
The drying rack system 20 can also include a water collector 36. The water collector 36 can receive water that drains from the dishware 34 instead of permitting such water to fall onto the floor. In the example shown, the water collector 36 is positioned below the lowermost drying rack unit 28 to form a drying rack assembly 30. In the lowermost position, the water that drains from the dishware 34 falls toward the water collector 36. The water is then directed or guided into a receptacle such as a drip pan 38 that can be easily removed and emptied. The drying rack system 20 that includes the water collector 36 directs and collects the water that drains from the dishware 34 rather than permitting the water to fall on the floor or other surface on which the drying rack system 20 is supported.
As previously stated, the water collector 36 can be positioned below the lowermost drying rack unit 28. In this position, the water collector 36 can collect water that falls from any of the drying racks 26, 28 positioned above. In other examples, each of the drying rack units 26, 28 can include a separate water collector 36 that is positioned below each of the drying rack units 26, 28. In still other examples, the drying rack system 20 can include water collectors 36 dispersed among the various drying rack units 26, 28 as needed or desired. As can be appreciated, the sizing of the dishware 34 that is dried on the drying rack units 26, 28 may limit the amount or positioning of the water collectors 36 that can be included in the drying rack system 20.
Referring now to
Referring back to
As further shown in
Referring back to
The frame 40 can include end portions 54 and side braces 56. The side braces 56 are connected to the end portions 54 to form the rectangular profile as previously described. The side braces 56 can be formed of a rectangular tubing or can have other cross-sectional shapes. The side braces 56 can be received into sockets 58 of the end portions 54 to form the frame 40. In this configuration, the side braces 56 can be easily inserted and removed from the end portions 54 for cleaning, assembly and/or disassembly.
The end portions 54, in the example shown, are formed of a suitable plastic or other suitable material and have a unitary structure. In other examples, the end portions can be made of one or more pieces joined together and/or can be made of other suitable metals, alloys or composites. Example suitable materials for food service environments can include stainless, steel, anti-microbial plastics and other materials approved by NSF International (formerly known as the National Sanitation Foundation). In addition to the sockets 58 previously described, the end portions 54 can include corners 60 that define post openings 62. The post openings 62 can have a size that is complimentary to the size of the post members 22. As such, the post members 22 can be received through the post openings 62 so that the frame 40 can be positioned and secured at a desired vertical location on the drying rack system 20. In the example shown, each end portion 54 includes two corners 60 that define two post openings 62.
When assembled, the frame 40 can have a rectangular shape formed by the two end portions 54 and the two side braces 56. The frame 40 provides structure and shape to the drying rack assembly 30 and one or more of the frames 40 can be used in connection with the post members 22 to form the drying rack system 20 previously described. As can be appreciated, the frame 40 can have various shapes, lengths and widths so that the drying rack system 20 and/or the drying rack assembly 30 can be used with standardized industrial, commercial or residential equipment and appliances.
As further shown in
The center beam 64 can be positioned in the same, or substantially the same, horizontal plane as the side braces 56 and/or the end portions 54. In such a position and as shown in
The frame 40 also supports one or more drip trays 42 in a position vertically below the support shelf 32. The drip trays 42 are positioned below the support shelf 32 to guide or direct water that drips from or flows off of the dishware 34 toward the drip pan 38. The drip trays 42 can include a guide surface 70 that is angled downward from the sides of the drip trays 42 to guide or direct water that falls on the guide surface 70 toward a drip edge 72. The guide surfaces 70 can be angled toward a center of the drip tray in addition to being angled downward from a side of the drip tray 42 that engages the end portions 54 of the frame to guide water toward the drip edge 72.
The drip trays 42 can have symmetrical configurations such that two identical drip trays 42 can be used and positioned opposite one another in the frame 40. While not shown, the drip trays 42 can also have asymmetrical configurations. The drip trays 42 can also be sized such that the drip trays 42 can accommodate frames 40 of varying lengths. For example and as shown in
The first and second configurations depicted in
As shown in
The registration notches 82 are positioned on side portions of the side wall 76. The registration notches 82 can be rectangular formations in the side wall 76 that project inwardly toward the center of the drip tray 42. The registration notches 82 are formations that prevent the interference between the drip pan bracket 44 (see
The end tabs 78 can be positioned on a side of the drip tray 42 that is oriented adjacent the end portion 54 of the frame 40. The end tabs 78 are features of the drip tray 42 that support and/or retain the drip tray 42 relative to the frame 40. The end tabs 78, in the example shown, project outward from the side wall 76 of the drip tray 42. The end tabs 78 can have a rectangular or other suitable shape. The end tabs 78 can engage or be supported by a complimentary tab support 80 (
The drip tray 42 can also include a stanchion 84 positioned inward of each end tab 78. The stanchion 84 is a formation in the side wall 76 and/or in the guide surface 70 that provides rigidity to the drip tray 42 at or near the end tab 78. The stanchion 84 alleviates stress concentrations that may otherwise occur at the corners of the end tab 78 and/or at the transition between the side wall 76 and the guide surface 70. In the example shown, the stanchion 84 is an angled surface that is angled from the top of the end tab 78 toward the guide surface 70. In other examples, the stanchion 84 can have other shapes or formations and may include one or more darts, ribs or other features to further strengthen or stiffen the drip tray 42.
As previously described, a pair of drip trays 42 can be used in the drying rack assembly 30. In the configuration depicted in
In the configuration in which the drip edges 72 are spaced apart from one another (
Instead of a pair of drip trays 42, the drying rack assembly 30 can include a single unitary drip tray 42. In such an example, the drip tray 42 can have the same or a similar appearance to the pair of drip trays 42 depicted in
As will be described below, the drip trays 42 are configured to direct or guide water through the drain opening 86 that is defined by the drip edges 72 and into the drip pan 38. In other examples (not shown), the drip tray 42, in either a multiple-piece or unitary construction, can include a drain opening that is positioned at any suitable position on the guide surface 70. Such a drain opening can be positioned offset from the center of the drip tray 42. The drain opening can also include a connection for attaching a length of pipe or tubing and/or include a valve to selectively permit water to be directed or guided from the drip tray 42 to a receptacle or directly to a floor drain or other disposal. In still other examples, the drip tray 42 can include two or more drain openings as may be desired for directing or guiding water to multiple locations, for example.
Referring now to
In the example shown, each retention arm 92 can have an upside-down J-shape and can include a rail engagement tab 94. The rail engagement tab 94, in this example, projects outward from the retention arm 92 toward the side braces 56 of the frame 40. The side braces 56 of the frame 40, in turn, can include a rail ledge 96 that projects inwardly toward the drip pan bracket 44. The rail ledge 96 can extend along the inner side of each side brace 56 so that the drip pan bracket 44 can be positioned at any location along the side braces 56 in the frame 40. In other examples, the drip pan bracket 44 can include other features or configurations of the retention arms 92 to retain the drip pan bracket 44 in position. For example, the retention arms 92 can include tabs, pegs or extensions that can engage corresponding openings or formations in the side braces 56. In still other examples, the drip pan bracket 44 can include an L-shaped flange to engage the rail ledge 96 or the drip pan bracket 44 and/or the side brace 56 can include complimentary hooks or flanges that can engage with one another to retain the drip pan bracket 44 in position relative to the frame 40.
The drip pan bracket 44, in the example shown, also includes two opposing pan rails 100. The pan rails 100 are positioned opposite to one another and include opposing horizontal surfaces that are spaced apart from one another by a distance P (
The drip pan 38 can be any suitable pan, tray, or other collection device. If the drying rack assembly 30 is used in the context of a commercial or industrial kitchen environment, the drip pan bracket 44 can be configured to receive a drip pan 38 that is a standardized gastronorm or standardized food service pan. In one example, the drip pan bracket 44 is sized to receive a standard full-size food service pan that measures 20 inches by 12 inches. In such an example, the dimension P of the drip pan bracket 44 can be slightly greater than 12 inches to accept the pan therein. In other examples, the drip pan bracket 44 can be sized to accept drip pans 38 of other sizes and of other shapes.
Referring back to
As further shown, the body 102 of the drip pan bracket 44 can include a drain surface 108 that can be angled toward a center of the drip pan bracket 44 to cause water than may drip on the drip pan bracket 44 to move toward the center of the drip pan bracket 44 and into the drip pan 38. The drip pan bracket 44 can also include one or more flanges 110 that can be used to stiffen the drip pan bracket 44.
With reference back to
Once assembled, the drying rack assembly 30 can be used to dry dishware 34. After cleaning, the wet dishware 34 can be placed on the support shelf 32. Water from the dishware 34 can drip or flow through the perforations 46 of the support shelf 32 and collect on the guide surfaces 70 of the drip trays 42. Since the guide surfaces 70 are angled toward the center of the drying rack unit 28, the water flows along the guide surfaces 70 and through the drain opening 86. The water then can fall through the drip pan bracket 44 and into the drip pan 38. In this manner, the drying rack assembly 30 can collect water that drips or drains from the dishware 34. An operator can then periodically remove the drip pan 38 from the drip pan bracket 44 to empty the drip pan 38 into a sink or other suitable drain.
The drying rack assembly 30 can also be assembled into the drying rack system 20. In such a system, the drying rack assembly 30 can direct and collect water from any dishware 34 than may be positioned above the drying rack assembly 30.
In other examples of the drying rack unit and/or the drying rack assembly (not shown), the drip pan 38 or the drip trays 42 can include a drain tube and/or valve that permits the water that is collected in the drip pan 38 or the drip trays 42 to flow into a sink, floor drain or other suitable drain location. In such examples, a drain tube can be fluidly connected to the drip pan 38 or the drip trays 42 to allow the water to flow into the drain tube. The drain tube can be routed from the drip pan 38 or the drip trays 42 to the sink or other drain. In such examples where the sink or other drain is located in a remote location from the drying rack unit 28, the drain tube can be connected to a valve and/or a pump to move the water from the drip pan 38 or the drip trays 42 through the drain tube to the sink or other drain.
The drying rack assembly 30 and the drying rack system 20 of the present disclosure are improvements over existing drying racks because of the ability to direct and collect the water from the dishware 34 rather than permitting the water that falls from the dishware to fall on the ground, floor or other surface on which the drying rack may be positioned.
In addition, the drying rack assembly 30 and the drying rack system 20 can be easily assembled and disassembled. Not only can the drip pan 38 be easily removed to empty the water that is collected by the drying rack assembly 30 but the various components of the drying rack assembly 30 (e.g., the frame 40, the drip trays 42, the center beam 64, the drip pan 38 and the drip pan bracket 44) can also be easily disassembled and reassembled for cleaning, storage and use. The components of the drying rack assembly 30 can be sized so as to be modular in nature such that they can be used on other standardized storage systems or in connection with other standardized commercial, industrial or residential appliances and equipment.
With reference to
As shown in
The beam member 130 is an elongated support member that spans between the two attachment collars 132. The beam member 130 can have any suitable shape or construction. In the example shown, the beam member 130 is made of stainless steel wire. The beam member 130 can be secured between the two attachment collars 132 using any suitable connection such as fasteners, welding, staking or the like. As can be appreciated, the beam member 130 is constructed to support the hook 122, the rod 124 or other retention members. As such the beam member 130 can have openings or a suitable profile to accept and support such retention members.
Each of the attachment collars 132 is configured to be removably secured to a post member 22. The attachment collars 132 can be easily secured in a desired position and removed and/or adjusted. As shown in
The retention plate 138 can be received in the slots 142 and extend across the opposing ends 140 of the strap member 134. The wedge 136 is positioned between the retention plate 138 and the post member 22. The retention plate 138 can have any suitable shape and in the example shown has a generally rectangular outer profile. The retention plate 138 can include end tabs 144 that can extend outwardly from the slots 142 and a base tab 148 that extends from a base of the retention plate 138 between the opposing ends 140 of the strap member 134.
The wedge 136 can also have any suitable shape and in the example shown has an inner surface 150 that is cooperatively shaped to, at least, partially surround the post member 22. The wedge 136 can also have an outer surface 152 that is substantially planar and cooperatively shaped to engage the portion of the retention plate 138 that is positioned between the opposing ends 140 of the strap member 134.
With this configuration, the attachment collar 132 can operate to secure the accessory storage bar to the post member 22. With the wedge 136 positioned between the retention plate 138 and the post member 22, the retention plate 138 can move toward the post member 22 in the slots 142 as a downwardly directed force is exerted on the attachment collar 132. As the retention plate 138 moves toward the post member 22, the wedge 136 is compressed against the post member 22 to secure the attachment collar 132 in a desired position. As can be appreciated, the attachment collar 132 can be easily removed from or adjusted relative to the post member 22 by exerting an upwardly directed force on the attachment collar 132 that permits the retention plate 138 to move downwards in the slots 142 and away from the post member 22.
The retention plate 138 can be made of a suitable structural material such as stainless steel. In other examples, the retention plate 138 can be made of other suitable metal, alloy, plastic or composite materials. The wedge 136 is preferably made of an elastomeric material such as a suitable plastic material. In other examples, the wedge 136 can be made of other materials such as natural or synthetic rubber.
The drying rack assembly 30, the accessory storage bar 120 and/or the various elements thereof can be made of any suitable material as described above. In addition, the materials of such assemblies and components can include additives or coatings that inhibit or prevent the growth of bacteria or other contaminants that can stain, cause odors or otherwise foul such assemblies and components.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/793,430, filed on Jan. 17, 2019. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62793430 | Jan 2019 | US |