In kitchens it is common to use a drying rack adjacent to the kitchen sink for the collection of wet or partially dried dishes subsequent to the manual washing of the dishes in the sink. Typically the dishes are rinsed and placed in specialized compartments in the rack. A series of apertures and/or through slots extend through the bottom of the rack, through which water from the dishes is allowed to drain by gravity.
While the above conventional drying rack 1 and drain tray 10 assemblies are well accepted in the industry and have met with commercial success, several shortcomings prevent existing rack and tray sets from satisfying all of the consumer and manufacturer's needs.
Traditional drying racks 1 and traditional drain trays 10 for drying glassware, dishes, and utensils, for example, are generally prone to remaining wet for long durations of time especially under multiple daily use. Moreover, the extended use of such conventional drying racks 1 and drain tray 10 assemblies are prone to the growth of fungus and bacteria thereon, which may be unhealthy, produce an unpleasant odor, or unpleasant appearance. Additionally, the use of such traditional drying racks 1 and drain tray 10 assemblies may cause spreading of germs and viruses during an extended use and lifetime thereof. And, when used in a facility where multiple meals and dirty dishes are made per day the concerns regarding the likelihood that a drain tray 10 in particular will accumulate and remain wet and promote mold and bacteria growth is of increased concern.
Another concern regarding the design of the drying rack 1 is the accommodation of different sizes and shapes of dishes, glassware, utensils, and even cutting boards. This limited adaptability of the conventional drying rack 1 design can be further exasperated where the applicable drying requirements extend beyond the typical sizes and shape of the average dinnerware set. For example, in some instances the ability to accommodate the bottles, bowls, plates, and utensils of infants are limited by the conventional design of the drying rack 1 to hold 6-12 inch plates, traditional knives, forks, bowls, and glassware for older people. As another example, a user may desire to clean and dry pet food containers such as food and water bowls which may not be adapted for use in a conventional drying rack 1 configuration.
Moreover, often certain consumers are not able to customize the conventional drying rack layout, size, and are unable to accommodate certain wine, champagne, martini, or other glassware. Moreover, a household may use an inordinate amount of utensils for example, as compared to reusing or disposal of drinkware. And, the conventional drying rack 1A and 1B are not typically readily adaptable for drying different sizes and shapes of a cutting board, or length and size of a knife. Rather, referring still to
Moreover, often the conventional drying rack 1 may not consider whether the drying rack 1 is to be used on the left or right side of a sink. The layout of the drying rack 1 traditionally did not consider the variable placement of components thereon. The drying rack 1 was not reconfigurable for the particular arrangement of dishes, utensils, or even a cutting board so as to optimize the access to the sink and counter as well as the kitchenware being dried. The ability to adjust the angle, slope, and configuration of the drain tray 10 relative to the drying rack 1 has also traditionally be fixed.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved drying appliance including an improved drying rack and drain tray assembly, such as adjacent to sinks in kitchens, which avoids hygiene related problems that may occur due to an extended use of the often saturated drain tray. There also exists a need for a new design of drain tray that dries rapidly so as to wick and draw moist air and liquid away from the dishes so as to further increase the rate of which the dishes dry. There is also a need for improved drain tray layout and customized and reconfigurable design and layouts. Such environments and concerns are illustrative of a large genus of applications and concerns discussed herein.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
An appliance is disclosed including a drying rack and an absorbent drain tray. The drying rack can include a base having a plurality of apertures there through allowing for rinse water from kitchenware placed thereupon to drain onto the absorbent drain tray. The drying rack can include a plurality of supports for supporting washed kitchenware. The apertures of the base can also provide support structures for the washed and rinsed kitchenware. The absorbent drain tray is disposed underneath the base of the drying rack and absorbs the rinse water drained from the kitchenware. By absorbing the rinse water, the absorbent drain tray wicks the moisture away from the surface of the absorbent drain tray upon which the rinse water is drained upon.
The absorbent drain tray includes diatomaceous earth. The rapid drying drain tray can include the rapidly wicking and drying earth material called diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth—also known as D.E., diatomite, or kieselgur/kieselguhr—is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is traditionally easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It has a particle size ranging from less than 3 μm to more than 1 mm, but typically 10 to 200 μm. Depending on the granularity, this powder can have an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder, and has a low density as a result of its high porosity. The typical chemical composition of oven-dried diatomaceous earth is 80-90% silica, with 2-4% alumina (attributed mostly to clay minerals) and 0.5-2% iron oxide.
Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled protist (chrysophytes). As disclosed herein the layer or component of diatomaceous earth of the mat is used as an absorbent and rapid evaporator for liquids. The thermal properties of diatomaceous earth also enable it to be used as the barrier material according to several embodiments disclosed herein.
For example, several embodiments disclosed herein include a diatomaceous earth layer or component forming the drain tray. In some embodiments, the entire drain tray can be made of diatomaceous earth. While a drain tray comprising diatomaceous earth is disclosed herein other products and kitchenware can be similarly configured. The placement of the diatomaceous earth layer or component immediately below the drying rack component allows for the diatomaceous earth to rapidly wick and absorb the moisture away from the dishes, glassware, and utensils thereby rapidly removing saturation of water from the drying environment. Once absorbed by the diatomaceous earth layer, the repeated saturation of the drain tray is more rapidly evaporated and dried as compared to traditional drying rack and drain tray assemblies. The diatomaceous earth absorbs moisture dripped upon the absorbent drain tray by the kitchenware and wicks moisture within the absorbent drain tray and away from the surface of drain tray upon which the water is drained upon.
The drying rack can include a plurality of legs for supporting the drying rack upon a surface of a kitchen counter. The legs can include a seat extending inward for supporting the absorbent drain tray and cushioned appendages for supporting the drying rack and drain tray upon a countertop without scratching the countertop. As such, the drain tray does not rest directly upon the counter top as opposed to traditional drain trays. The support to the drain tray by the legs of the drain tray further provides for 360 degree evaporation of the absorbed rinse water. That is, the absorbed rinse water is allowed to evaporate from the entire outer surface of the absorbent drain tray.
The drying rack can include upwardly extending rails disposed near opposing ends of the drying rack. The upwardly extending rails can be connected to, or formed integral with, downwardly extending legs. Two upwardly extending rails can be connected by a beam extending along a length of the drying rack. The upwardly extending rails can be connected by two beams extending across a width of the drying rack. A drying accessory is shaped to be placed upon the two beams extending across the width of the drying rack.
The appliance can include a plurality of interchangeable drying accessories, the drying accessories being interchangeably attached to the beams of the drying rack. The drying accessories can include one or more glassware hangers for hanging glassware thereon. The one or more glassware hangers can include a polymer cover disposed over an end thereof to protect and cushion glassware place thereon for drying. The drying accessories can include a utensil compartment for placement of washed utensils therein and can include a large kitchen knife drying accessory. The large kitchen knife drying accessory includes a wooden portent and a cushioning polymer portion, the cushioning polymer portion providing an internal cushion for a tip of the large kitchen knife.
The upwardly extending rails and downwardly extending legs can be welded to the base or can be pivotally attached to the base of the dishrack so as to be collapsible into a reduced height. The drying rack can include a secondary base disposed below the main base, the secondary base including apertures there through, the length of apertures in the secondary base being smaller than the apertures of the base disposed directly above the secondary base so as to allow kitchenware to extend through the base and be supported by the base while being further supported by the relatively smaller apertures of the secondary base. The drying rack can include a peripheral rail having connectors disposed at opposing ends thereof for connecting the ends of the peripheral rail to the upwardly extending rails. And, the base of the drying rack including an extended aperture, the extended aperture extending along a length of the base and being sized to allow a cutting board to extend there through. The base of the drying rack includes apertures of increased length for supporting larger dishware and apertures of decreased length for supporting smaller dishware.
And, the drying rack and absorbent drain tray can be substantially rectangular in shape with rounded corners. The use of the diatomaceous earth drain tray results in more rapid and complete evaporation of water from dishes, utensils, and cutlery held by the drying rack. And a lateral support connects two ends of the drying rack and which also provides lateral support to a cutting board or other larger dish held within a recessed receptacle a base rack portion of the drying rack. The drain tray can include channels for diverting water to one or more outlets. The drain tray can include multiple outlets for selective diversion of water depending on a selectable tilt angle of the train tray. However, the drain tray does not include one or more outlets according to some embodiments.
Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of what is disclosed herein. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features, a more particular description will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Embodiments relate to a drying appliance including a drying rack and a rapidly drying drain tray assembly. Such embodiments further include adaptable and interchangeable accessories for selectable placement and scaling of the size, amount and placement of features for managing the capacity and location of the drying accessories. The embodiments disclosed herein enable advantageous manufacturing processes, designs, and assemblies of components, materials, and manufactures.
As previously discussed the old wire baskets and moldy plastic bins are prone to retaining moisture drained from such conventional drying racks. This retained moisture is prone to collecting mold and bacteria over repeated use thereof. Moreover, the utility of the drying features of the traditional drying rack is set upon manufacture and is not customizable, nor modular, as compared to various innovative embodiments disclosed hereinafter and shown in the drawings. The combined improvements provided by the embodiments illustrated herein is a modern way to dry hand-washed dishes with customizable accessories. Examples, of such selectable and rearrangable accessories can including knife holders, bottle or cup holders, and a utensil cage, or multiples thereof, for example. The positioning and arrangement of such accessories can be place around and fitted to one or more peripheral racks or rails. The peripheral racks and rails can provide support to the modular accessories as well as other kitchenware such as a cutting board, dishware including bowls, plates, and cups.
The drain tray includes an absorptive base. The absorptive base instantly wicks, absorbs, and evaporates water away from the drying kitchenware to lower relative humidity and to prevent mold and bacteria from growing thereon. The drying rack can include a built-in cutting board holder that provides extra space for pots, pans, and bowls. The drying rack can include modern durable steel rails that can be customized for each person's particular needs from home chefs, to athletes, to new moms and dads. The accessories can be purchased, used, and arranged individually, for example. Such unique drying rack design helps keep the sink space clean.
The drying rack design helps keep dishes organized and secure, dries them quickly and helps keep the area around a sink clean. Moreover, conventional drying racks are particularly prone to aging including rust, plastic fatigue, and breakage. The drying rack and drain tray are also nicely styled and don't look like the conventional designed in the 1930's. The dish rack is well constructed, sturdy and there is no need to worry about rust. The diatomaceous earth base of the drain tray wicks up water and dries very quickly.
Accessories for the drying rack can include any arrangement and selection of accessories. For example, one set might include a knife block, two bottle/cup holders, and as utensil cage depending on the dimensions of the drying rack. According to one illustrative embodiments, some examples of dimensions can include a length of 22.52 inches (57.2 cm), a width of 16.54 inches (42 cm) and a height 6.34 inches (16.1 cm).
Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to the manufacture and assembly of a composite drying rack, drain tray assembly, and accessories as well as intermediate manufactures, features, and parts thereof. The drying rack and drain tray assembly can be in the form of multiple assembled parts in the form of a drying rack made of a plastic, metallic, and/or wood component(s) with a drain tray comprising a wicking absorptive earth element. The composite parts, elements, and modular accessory adaptors may be manufactured from distinct materials and assembled together. Assembly of one or more components can include mechanical features for assembling and fastening the components or layers together or the components can be connected such as by welds, joints, connectors, or fasteners. The shape of the drying rack, modular components, and draining tray may interrelate in that outer and inner periphery attachments and components may correspond, or fit, with a shape of another component such that when assembled the composite assembly can be an aesthetically pleasing, more adaptable, and functionally superior to the conventional designs previously discussed.
The rapid drying drain tray can include the rapidly wicking and drying earth material called diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth—also known as D.E., diatomite, or kieselgur/kieselguhr—is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is traditionally easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It has a particle size ranging from less than 3 μm to more than 1 mm, but typically 10 to 200 μm. Depending on the granularity, this powder can have an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder, and has a low density as a result of its high porosity. The typical chemical composition of oven-dried diatomaceous earth is 80-90% silica, with 2-4% alumina (attributed mostly to clay minerals) and 0.5-2% iron oxide.
Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled protist (chrysophytes). As disclosed herein the layer or component of diatomaceous earth of the mat is used as an absorbent and rapid evaporator for liquids. The thermal properties of diatomaceous earth also enable it to be used as the barrier material according to several embodiments disclosed herein.
For example, several embodiments disclosed herein include a diatomaceous earth layer or component forming the drain tray. In some embodiments, the entire drain tray can be made of diatomaceous earth. While a drain tray comprising diatomaceous earth is disclosed herein other products and kitchenware can be similarly configured. The placement of the diatomaceous earth layer or component immediately below the drying rack component allows for the diatomaceous earth to rapidly wick and absorb the moisture away from the dishes, glassware, and utensils thereby rapidly removing saturation of water from the drying environment. Once absorbed by the diatomaceous earth layer, the repeated saturation of the drain tray is more rapidly evaporated and dried as compared to traditional drying rack and drain tray assemblies.
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The drying rack 105 can be generally rectangular with rounded corners, having a base rack 125 and opposing downward angled end supports 130 made of metal rails. The end supports 130 can be further connected together by a lateral support rail 135 which also provides lateral support to a cutting board or other larger dish held within a recessed receptacle of the base rack 125. The recessed receptacle can extend along a length of the drain tray 105 thereby allowing for additional placement of dishes within the base rack 125 and perpendicular thereto.
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The drying rack 105 can be generally rectangular with rounded corners, having a base rack 125 and opposing downward angled end supports 130 made of metal rails. The end supports 130 can be further connected together by a connectable lateral support 135 which also provides lateral support to a cutting board or other larger dish held within a recessed receptacle 140 of the base rack 125. The recessed receptacle 140 can extend along a length of the drain tray 105 thereby allowing for additional placement of dishes within the base rack 125 and perpendicular thereto.
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For example, according to the embodiment shown in
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As compared to the previously discussed embodiment, the location of the assembly 200 relative to a sink, counter, or placement layout may not be as important because the embodiment illustrated omits the one or more drain spouts. Referring again to
While the above describes the preferred embodiments, this disclosure is not to be so restricted. Other embodiments which utilize the teachings herein set forth art intended to be within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/694,319, titled “Drying Appliance,” filed Mar. 14, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,800,965; which is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/838,737, titled “Drying Appliance,” filed Apr. 2, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,272,829; which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/828,245, titled “Drying Rack and Drain Tray Assembly,” filed Apr. 2, 2019. This application incorporates the entire contents of the foregoing applications by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62828245 | Apr 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17694319 | Mar 2022 | US |
Child | 18385378 | US | |
Parent | 16838737 | Apr 2020 | US |
Child | 17694319 | US |