Patent Application
20230233054
The present invention relates generally to the field of drying rack devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved drying rack device for dishes that allows users to create different sizes and tiers of the drying rack device to accommodate any amount or size of dishware. The device comprises a multipurpose rack and air jets to quickly dry dishes placed in the rack device. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, drying dishes can be a time-consuming and frustrating experience. Specifically, after dishes are washed in the sink or the dishwasher, they typically have to be dried off prior to use. Setting out dishes all over the counter to be air-dried is messy and inconvenient. Further, drying the dishes by hand is inefficient and time-consuming for a user. Additionally, wet spots left on dishes can be frustrating to deal with when trying to serve food and/or drinks. Thus, a device that would speed up the drying process for both personal and commercial use would be especially useful.
Furthermore, dish drying racks are commonly used on kitchen counter tops to position dishes, such as plates, bowls, cups, utensils, etc., within the rack to allow the dishes to dry after they have been washed. However, many dish drying racks are not adjustable or collapsible and, therefore, can take up a lot of space in the kitchen. In addition, dish drying racks that are not adjustable do not lend themselves for use with different types and sizes of dishes while maximizing the limited space on a dish rack.
Thus, it is necessary for users to have a place to dry dishes, as well as the ability to dry dishes of varying sizes and/or quantities. Generally, drying dishes can be a time-consuming and frustrating process that many users avoid and/or neglect. However, users need to routinely dry dishes after washing them in a sink or dishwasher. Therefore, users require a device that easily allows them to dry dishes quickly and efficiently without expensive devices or tedious methods.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a drying rack device that provides users with an easy and efficient way to dry dishes. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a drying rack device that eliminates the need for users to hand dry dishes of varying sizes and/or quantities. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a drying rack device that simplifies the process of drying dishes by providing a rack that supports a large quantity of dishes and other articles for drying. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents water or wet spots from occurring on drying dishes. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a drying rack device that provides air jets to quickly dry any type of dishware placed on the rack. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a novel and improved drying rack device that is inexpensive to manufacture, durable in construction, and foldable to a relatively compact size when not in use.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a drying rack device. The device is designed to quickly and efficiently dry dishes of varying sizes and/or quantities. The device comprises a multipurpose rack for drying dishes. The device is adjustable, modular, and foldable to a relatively compact size when not in use. The device can also include a plurality of air jets to quickly dry any type of dishware placed on the rack to avoid water spots on the dishes.
In this manner, the drying rack device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with a device that allows a user to quickly and efficiently dry dishes of varying sizes and/or quantities. The device is adjustable and modular, depending on the dishware, and foldable when not in use. The device eliminates expensive devices and time-consuming processes and offers a way for users to easily dry large quantities of dishes.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a drying rack device. The device is designed to quickly and efficiently dry dishes of varying sizes and/or quantities. The device comprises a multipurpose rack for drying dishes. The device is adjustable, modular, and foldable to a relatively compact size when not in use.
The drying rack device is preferably manufactured from round wire stock, plastic, etc., or other suitable materials as is known in the art. The round wire stock may also have a protective coating of rubber or synthetic resin or rust-resistant metal on it. Further, the round wire stock may also comprise an antimicrobial coating, or other similar coatings as is known in the art. The use of wire is desirable to provide an open network construction in order to allow wet dishes and eating utensils to drain properly, and to provide sufficient circulation of air through the rack, to rapidly dry off the dishware retained therewithin.
The drying rack device comprises a base defined by a continuous rectangular frame of wire having a plurality of side walls and ends, as well as front and back walls which are crossed by longitudinal rods and transverse rods. The base, side walls, back walls and front walls are formed with large openings through which air may circulate freely to impinge upon dishes, glasses, and cups while the same are being dried. The transverse rods do not extend the complete width of the rack in order to provide a section of the rack for mounting the dish-supporting elements. The dish-supporting elements are preferably shaped with a main arcuate portion. Typically, the plurality of dish-supporting elements are pivotally supported between an adjacent pair of longitudinal rods in any suitable manner. Further, spaced along at least one side are upwardly projecting pegs, on which cups and glasses may be supported in an inverted position.
The entire drying rack device can be manipulated and adjusted based on the size and/or quantity of the dishware being dried. Any number of sides and ends, as well as longitudinal rods and transverse rods, can be utilized to create the drying rack of appropriate size, as required by a user. For example, users can assemble the drying rack device for personal use, such that it fits on a kitchen counter. In another embodiment, the drying rack device can be assembled for commercial use, such that it stands on the floor beside a counter in a restaurant, etc.
In another embodiment, a silverware container is included within the device. The silverware container comprises a high back wall, high front wall, and high side walls, wherein when inserted into the device, the walls constitute an upward extension of the back wall and side walls of the device. Further, the front wall, like the back wall, is slightly inclined in relation to the plane of the base. Typically, the silverware container comprises a plurality of internal partitions, elongated notches, or channels, to retain the individual silverware as well as to provide drain openings through which water draining from the silverware within the silverware container may flow toward the front end of the drying rack device.
Spaced longitudinally along the front and back walls are short support legs for the silverware container, which are adapted to support the silverware container when it is removed from the drying rack device. When it’s within the drying rack device, the legs are spaced a short distance upwardly from the plane of the base.
Extending longitudinally from the base, and integral or otherwise made rigid with said base, are parallel, transversely spaced, identically formed dish-supporting elements. As will be noted, each dish-supporting element includes a plurality of uniformly spaced, upwardly opening recesses. Each recess includes a front portion and a back portion separated by a low, upwardly projecting, pointed divider component. Each recess is thus of a double formation, so as to hold one or two dishes, and support the dishes at a corresponding angle of inclination from the vertical plane.
In another embodiment, the drying rack device comprises a removable drain board below the base. The drain board is typically an inclined, rectangular component that moves water drainage away from the drying rack device and into a sink or other area. The drain board is positioned below the base and allows the drying rack device to be placed on a counter or the floor without worry of water being expelled on the counter or floor. Once filled with water drainage, the drain board can be removed, emptied, and replaced without disturbing the dishes within the device.
At the front and rear end of the drying rack device, there are provided transversely spaced, vertically disposed support legs, the height of which is greater than that of the base. Therefore, when the device is disposed upon a supporting surface, such as a kitchen counter, said surface being horizontal, the drain board will be inclined slightly from the horizontal surface. Thus, all water draining from the silverware, cups, and dishes within the device, will flow to and through the device openings into the drain board, to be disposed of merely by removal of the drain board.
It will be apparent that the drying rack device need not be used in a kitchen sink and may be placed on a kitchen counter, floor, etc., without danger of any water flowing out of the device and onto the kitchen surface.
In another embodiment, the dish drying rack is collapsible and adjustable. The dish drying rack device is movable between an upright position and a flattened position, such that the device can be stored when not in use.
In one embodiment, the drying rack device includes a plurality of air jets to quickly dry any type of dishware placed on the device to avoid water spots on the dishes. In this embodiment, the drying rack device comprises at least one air inlet vent for drawing air into the housing and a blower for forcing the air through a plurality of outlet vents to dry the dishes within the device. In yet another embodiment, the drying rack device comprises at least one air inlet vent for drawing air into the housing, a heater for heating said air, and an electric motor and blower for forcing the heated air through a plurality of outlet vents. The plurality of outlet vents act to expel the heated air toward the dishes within the device. Further, the device comprises control circuitry that includes an on-off light and an on-off switch electrically connected to the heater, the electric motor, and the blower.
In another embodiment, the drying rack device comprises a safety tip switch, that will automatically turn off if the drying rack device becomes unstable when the blower is active.
In another embodiment, the drying rack device comprises a pair of handles and a compartment. Each of the handles is affixed to an opposite side of the device, such that the device can become portable by being carried from place to place. The compartment has a hinged door formed in the top portion of the compartment and houses the air inlet vent, the heater, the electric motor, and the blower. The compartment is typically positioned near the base of the device, but can be positioned at any suitable place as is known in the art.
In yet another embodiment, a method of drying dishes of varying sizes and/or quantities efficiently and easily is described. The method includes the steps of providing a drying rack device that is adjustable and modular, wherein the drying rack device comprises a base defined by a continuous rectangular frame of wire having a plurality of side walls and ends, as well as front and back walls which are crossed by longitudinal rods and transverse rods. The method also comprises assembling the drying rack device at such a height and position as to house the required size and quantity of dishes needing to be dried by a user. Further, the method comprises positioning a plurality of dishware within the device. Finally, turning on the air jets and/or heater to dry the dishes within the device quickly and efficiently, without water spots.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a drying rack device is disclosed for easily and efficiently drying dishes. The device comprises a base defined by a continuous rectangular frame of wire having a plurality of side walls and ends, as well as front and back walls which are crossed by longitudinal rods and transverse rods. The drying rack device can be collapsed and foldable to a relatively compact size when not in use. The device is then configured to be hung on a wall adjacent a sink or in any suitable location in a kitchen or other area. Further, the device is inexpensive to manufacture, durable in construction, easy to install, and adapted to support a large quantity of dishes and other items for drying.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a drying rack device that provides users with an easy and efficient way to dry dishes. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a drying rack device that eliminates the need for users to hand dry dishes of varying sizes and/or quantities. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a drying rack device that simplifies the process of drying dishes by providing a rack that supports a large quantity of dishes and other articles for drying. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents water or wet spots from occurring on drying dishes. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a drying rack device that provides air jets to quickly dry any type of dishware placed on the rack. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a novel and improved drying rack device that is inexpensive to manufacture, durable in construction, and foldable to a relatively compact size when not in use.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel drying rack device that comprises an adjustable base defined by a continuous rectangular frame of wire having a plurality of side walls and ends, as well as front and back walls which are crossed by longitudinal rods and transverse rods. The drying rack device can be collapsed and foldable to a relatively compact size when not in use. The present invention also includes a novel method of drying dishes of varying sizes and/or quantities efficiently and easily. The method includes the steps of providing a drying rack device that is adjustable and modular. The method also comprises assembling the drying rack device at such a height and position as to house the required size and quantity of dishes needing to be dried by a user. Further, the method comprises positioning a plurality of dishware within the device. Finally, turning on the air jets and/or heater to dry the dishes within the device quickly and efficiently, without water spots.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The drying rack device 100 is preferably manufactured from round wire stock, plastic, etc., or other suitable materials as is known in the art. The round wire stock may also have a protective coating of rubber or synthetic resin or rust-resistant metal on it. Further, the round wire stock may also comprise an antimicrobial coating, or other similar coatings as is known in the art. The use of wire is desirable to provide an open network construction in order to allow wet dishes and eating utensils to drain properly, and to provide sufficient circulation of air through the device 100, to rapidly dry off the dishware retained therewithin.
The drying rack device 100 comprises a base 102 defined by a continuous rectangular frame of wire having a plurality of side walls 104 and ends 106, as well as front 108 and back walls 110 which are crossed by longitudinal rods 112 and transverse rods 114. The base 102, side walls 104, back walls 110 and front walls 108 are formed with large openings 116 through which air may circulate freely to impinge upon dishes 118, glasses 120, and cups 122 while the same are being dried. The transverse rods 114 do not extend the complete width of the rack in order to provide a section of the rack for mounting the dish-supporting elements 124. The dish-supporting elements 124 are preferably shaped with a main arcuate portion. Typically, the plurality of dish-supporting elements 124 are pivotally supported between an adjacent pair of longitudinal rods 112 in any suitable manner. Further, spaced along at least one side are upwardly projecting pegs 126 on which cups 122 and glasses 120 may be supported in an inverted position.
Extending longitudinally from the base 102, and integral or otherwise made rigid with said base 102, are parallel, transversely spaced, identically formed dish-supporting elements 124. As will be noted, each dish-supporting element 124 includes a plurality of uniformly spaced, upwardly opening recesses 142. Each recess 142 includes a front portion 144 and a back portion 146 separated by a low, upwardly projecting, pointed divider component 148. Each recess 142 is thus of a double formation, so as to hold one or two dishes 118, and support the dishes 118 at a corresponding angle of inclination from the vertical plane.
The entire drying rack device 100 can be manipulated and adjusted based on the size and/or quantity of the dishware being dried. Any number of side walls 104 and ends 106, as well as longitudinal rods 112 and transverse rods 114, can be utilized to create the drying rack of appropriate size as required by a user. For example, users can assemble the drying rack device 100 for personal use, such that it fits on a kitchen counter (as shown in
In another embodiment, a silverware container 128 is included within the device 100. The silverware container 128 comprises a high back wall 130, high front wall 132, and high side walls 134, wherein when inserted into the device 100, the walls 130, 134 constitute an upward extension of the back wall 110 and side walls 104 of the device 100. Further, the front wall 132, like the back wall 130, is slightly inclined in relation to the plane of the base 102. Typically, the silverware container 128 comprises a plurality of internal partitions, elongated notches, or channels, 136 to retain the individual silverware 138 as well as to provide drain openings through which water draining from the silverware 138 within the silverware container 128 may flow toward the front end of the drying rack device 100.
Spaced longitudinally along the front 132 and back walls 130 are short support legs 140 for the silverware container 128, which are adapted to support the silverware container 128 when it is removed from the drying rack device 100. When the silverware container 128 is within the drying rack device 100, the legs 140 are spaced a short distance upwardly from the plane of the base 102.
In another embodiment, the drying rack device 100 comprises a removable drain board 150 below the base 102. The drain board 150 is typically an inclined, rectangular component that moves water drainage away from the drying rack device 100 and into a sink or other area. The drain board 150 is positioned below the base 102 and allows the drying rack device 100 to be placed on a counter 152 or the floor 154 without worry of water being expelled on the counter 152 or the floor 154. Once filled with water drainage, the drain board 150 can be removed, emptied, and replaced without disturbing the dishes 118 within the device 100.
At the front 158 and rear 160 end of the drying rack device 100, there are provided transversely spaced, vertically disposed support legs 156, the height of which is greater than that of the base 102. Therefore, when the device 100 is disposed upon a supporting surface, such as a kitchen counter 152, said surface being horizontal, the drain board 150 will be inclined slightly from the horizontal surface. Thus, all water draining from the silverware 138, cups 122, and dishes 118 within the device 100 will flow to and through the device openings into the drain board 150 to be disposed of merely by removal of the drain board 150.
It will be apparent that the drying rack device 100 need not be used in a kitchen sink and may be placed on a kitchen counter 152, floor 154, etc., without danger of any water flowing out of the device 100 and onto the kitchen surfaces.
In another embodiment, the drying rack device 100 comprises a pair of handles 222 and a compartment 224. Each of the handles 222 is affixed to an opposite side of the device 100 such that the device 100 can become portable by being carried from place to place. The compartment 224 has a hinged door 226 formed in the top portion 228 of the compartment 224 and houses the air inlet vent 204, the heater 210, the electric motor 212, and the blower 206. The compartment 224 is typically positioned near the base 102 of the device 100, but can be positioned at any suitable place as is known in the art.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “drying rack device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the drying rack device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the drying rack device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the drying rack device 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/303,243, which was filed on January 26th, 2022 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63303243 | Jan 2022 | US |
