Drying appliance

Abstract

A drying appliance including a drying rack and a rapidly drying absorptive 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 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. The legs of the drying rack can support the absorptive drain tray above the surface of a counter allowing for 360 degree evaporation.

Claims

1. A drying appliance, comprising: a drying rack including: a base; a plurality of supports for supporting washed kitchenware; and draining apertures disposed through the base of the drying rack, wherein the draining apertures are configured to allow rinse water to drain from the kitchenware and through the base of the drying rack; and an absorbent drain tray disposed underneath the base of the drying rack, the absorbent drain tray consists entirely of diatomaceous earth and is configured to absorb and evaporate the rinse water drained from the kitchenware, wherein the absorbent drain tray is configured to absorb and wick the rinse water through the absorbent drain tray.

2. The drying appliance according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent drain tray is configured to wick moisture within the absorbent drain tray and away from a surface of the absorbent drain tray upon which the rinse water is drained upon.

3. The drying appliance according to claim 1, the drying rack including a plurality of legs for supporting the drying rack.

4. The drying appliance according to claim 1, wherein the supports define upwardly extending rails disposed near opposing ends of the drying rack.

5. The drying appliance according to claim 4, the upwardly extending rails being connected to or formed integral with downwardly extending legs.

6. The drying appliance according to claim 4, wherein two corresponding upwardly extending rails from the upwardly extending rails are connected by a lateral support rail extending along a length of the drying rack.

7. The drying appliance according to claim 1, wherein the supports each comprise two corresponding upwardly extending rails that are connected by two transverse rails extending across a width of the drying rack respectively.

8. The drying appliance according to claim 7, further comprising a drying accessory shaped to be placed upon the two transverse rails of a corresponding support from the plurality of supports, the two transverse rails of the corresponding support extend across the width of the drying rack.

9. The drying appliance according to claim 7, further comprising a plurality of interchangeable drying accessories, the interchangeable drying accessories are interchangeably attached to the transverse rails.

10. The drying appliance according to claim 9, wherein the drying accessories include one or more glassware hangers for hanging glassware thereon.

11. The drying appliance according to claim 10, the one or more glassware hangers each include a polymer cover disposed over an end thereof to protect and cushion glassware place thereon for drying.

12. The drying appliance according to claim 9, wherein the drying accessories include a utensil compartment for placement of washed utensils therein.

13. The drying appliance according to claim 9, wherein the drying accessories include a knife drying accessory, wherein the knife drying accessory includes a wooden portion and a cushioning polymer portion, the cushioning polymer portion is configured to provide an internal cushion for a tip of a knife.

14. The drying appliance according to claim 1, wherein the supports comprise upwardly extending rails, the drying appliance further comprising downwardly extending legs, wherein the upwardly extending rails and downwardly extending legs are pivotally attached to the base of the drying rack to be pivotably collapsible into a reduced height.

15. The drying appliance according to claim 1, wherein the base is a first base, wherein the drying appliance further comprises a secondary base disposed below the first base, the secondary base including apertures there through, a length of the apertures of the secondary base being smaller than the draining apertures of the first base disposed directly above the secondary base to allow kitchenware to extend through the first base and be supported by the first base while being further supported by the apertures of the secondary base.

16. The drying appliance according to claim 1, wherein the supports define upwardly extending rails, the drying appliance further comprising a peripheral rail having connectors disposed at opposing ends thereof for connecting the ends of the peripheral rail to corresponding upwardly extending rails from the upwardly extending rails.

17. The drying appliance according to claim 1, the base of the drying rack including an extended aperture, the extended aperture extending along a length of the base.

18. The drying appliance according to claim 1, wherein legs of the drying rack support the absorbent drain tray above a lowermost portion of the downwardly extending legs thereby exposing a bottom surface of the absorbent drain tray and enabling evaporation of absorbed moisture from the bottom surface of the absorbent drain tray.

19. The drying appliance according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent drain tray is configured to evaporate the rinse water wicked through the absorbent drain tray from a bottom surface of the absorbent drain tray.

20. The drying appliance according to claim 1, the drying rack further including legs, wherein the legs provide raised support to the drain tray above a lower-most portion of the legs for 360 degree evaporation of the absorbed rinse water from an entire outer surface of the absorbent drain tray.

21. The drying appliance according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent drain tray is devoid of a drain outlet for draining the rinse water to a sink.

22. The drying appliance according to claim 1, the absorbent drain tray comprising diatomaceous earth, the absorbent drain tray comprising one or more channels extending into and along a top surface of the absorbent drain tray, wherein the one or more channels wick moisture within the absorbent drain tray and away from the top surface of drain tray upon which the rinse water is drained upon.

23. The drying appliance according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent drain tray having a constant peripheral thickness.

24. A method of manufacturing a drying appliance comprising the steps of: manufacturing a drying rack; the drying rack including: a base; a plurality of supports for supporting washed kitchenware; and draining apertures disposed through the base of the drying rack, wherein the draining apertures are configured to allow rinse water to drain from the kitchenware and through the base of the drying rack; manufacturing an absorbent drain tray; placing the absorbent drain tray underneath the base of the drying rack; wherein the absorbent drain tray consists entirely of diatomaceous earth and is configured to absorb and evaporate the rinse water drained from the kitchenware, wherein the absorbent drain tray is configured to absorb and wick the rinse water through the absorbent drain tray.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention 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 of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional drying rack and drain tray;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates an appliance including a drying rack and drain tray;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the appliance including the drying rack and drain try along with several accessories for supporting kitchenware after being washed;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates examples of components of the unassembled appliance;

(6) FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrates some examples of hanging accessories for supporting utensils (FIG. 5A), glassware (FIG. 5B), and cutlery (FIG. 5C);

(7) FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate the accessories in a hanging position supported by rails of the drying rack while supporting utensils (FIG. 6A), glassware (FIG. 6B), and cutlery (FIG. 6C);

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a side view and top view of the appliance;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates the drying rack in a collapsed position where the legs and rails are pivoted into the collapsed position of decreased height;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the appliance where the legs and rails are welded at connection points;

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates the appliance with welded joints including the accessories connected thereto; and

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a drain tray having channels and spouts for diverting excess rinse water therefrom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) Embodiments of the invention 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.

(14) 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 placed 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.

(15) 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.

(16) 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.

(17) 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 a 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).

(18) 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.

(19) 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.

(20) 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.

(21) 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.

(22) Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first example of a drying appliance 100 is shown including a drying rack 105 and a drain tray 110. The drain tray 110 is generally rectangular with rounded corners and has four cutouts 115 for accommodating and locating four downwardly extending and cantilevered legs 120 of the drying rack 105 thereby securely and precisely placing the drain tray 110 relative to the drying rack 105 when assembled. The drain tray 110 is made of a diatomaceous earth wicking material as opposed to the molded plastic or rubber polymer material of the prior art thereby more rapidly drawing moisture away from dishes, glassware, and utensils placed upon the drying rack 105 as shown in FIG. 3. The use of the diatomaceous earth drain tray 110 results in more rapid and complete evaporation of water from the kitchenware, drying rack 105, and drain tray 110.

(23) 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.

(24) Referring to FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, and 5C, the drying appliance 100 can include various assembleable and connectable modular attachments. The use of interchangeable modular attachments that can be interchangeable, customized, and optimized in placement, type, and size can be optimal to various households. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the attachments can include a cutlery attachment 345, a utensil attachment 350, and two glassware attachments 355. Other attachments can be interchangeable and used for accommodating many different objects, dishes, bowls, glassware, cutlery, bottles, tools, and custom configurations for special applications and purposes. Moreover, as previously discussed, the location of the assembly 100 relative to a sink, counter, or placement layout is easily reconfigurable according to the teachings disclosed herein.

(25) As best shown in FIGS. 4-6 the location of the various connectable modular apparatus for supporting different kinds of kitchenware may be selectively moved based on any criteria. In this embodiment, each attachment includes a hanger 320. The hanger 320 can be formed with, attached to, welded, or otherwise connected to the attachments 345, 350, and 355. The hanger 320 can be universal in shape for multiple different accessories. The shape of the hanger 320 can conform and work in placement upon the size and position of the transverse rails 132 of the drying rack 105. For example, the hanger 320 can include a trough 325 and tongue 330 that fit around a lowermost transverse rail 132 of the drying rack 105. The uppermost portion of the hanger 320 can include a bend 335 that extends over and hangs from the uppermost transverse rail 132 of the drying rack 105 as best shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C. As such, the weight of the accessory and kitchenware held is suspended from the end support rails 130 in a secure manner, yet allowing for replacement and repositioning of the accessories thereto.

(26) Referring to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, the modular attachments for glassware 355 are show in FIG. 6B as extending from a transverse rail 132 at a more vertical direction. Moreover, the attachments for glassware 355 each have a silicone sleeve 356 disposed over the ends thereof for more delicately holding the glassware thereon. Referring to FIG. 6A, the attachment 345 for cutlery can include an insert 346 having an internal end made from a resilient silicone material or other suitable material for engaging the ends of cutlery without damaging the tip thereof.

(27) Referring to FIG. 7, the base rack 125 can have certain sections having differently sized apertures from other sections so as to accommodate particular dishes or kitchenware such as pots, pans, etc. For example, as previously discussed the base rack 125 can have a middle section 125B that has longer apertures as opposed to end portions 125A and 125C to allow larger plates and bowels to extend there through to be also supported by a lower rack 126.

(28) 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.

(29) As shown in FIG. 8, the legs 120 of the drain rack 105 can be pivotally connected to the base rack 125 so as to allow the legs 120 and upwardly extending rails 131 to be pivoted more closely parallel to the base rack 125 so as to reduce the height of the drying rack for packaging. Upon assembly of the drying appliance, for example from the disassembled components shown in FIG. 4, the legs 120 and upwardly extending rails 131 of the drying rack 105 are rotated into the usable position shown in FIG. 7 where the connectors 147 of the lateral support rail 135 are connected to the upwardly extending rails 131 of the end support rails 130 thereby holding the upwardly extending rails 131 in place for placement of the accessories. The lateral support rail 135 also providing support for the cutting board there against where the cutting board is placed within the longitudinal aperture 140.

(30) Referring to FIGS. 9-11, the components of a second embodiment of an appliance 200 can include a drying rack 205 with components welded together and a unique design of channels formed within the drain tray 210. However, according other certain embodiments, one or more components can be attachable or connectable to one another as previously discussed. For example, according to some embodiments one or more components of the drying rack can be connectable via fasteners such as threaded screws or bolts such that they can be packaged or stored in a disassembled manner, then assembled upon use.

(31) For example, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-11 the drying rack may include six joint locations 260 connectable by welds, screws, bolts, or other fasteners. The joints 260 can include two rear joints 260A, two front joints 260B, and two upper brace joints 260C as illustrated in FIG. 9. As such, the drying rack 205 and its components may be assemblable and disassembleable where detachable fasteners are used.

(32) Referring to FIG. 11, the disassembled drying rack 205 and drain tray 210 are shown. The drain tray 210 can include a series of channels 260 including an outer-most channel 260A, middle channel 260B and inner-most channel 260C. The channels 260 can be interconnected to one or more outlets 265. According to the example shown in FIG. 11, the drain tray 210 can have multiple outlets 265 such that the drain tray 210 may be tilted in different directions using legs or standoffs, for example, so as to selectively choose which direction and outlet 265 for the drain tray to divert water to as shown by the arrows within the channels shown in FIG. 11. The channels 160 can be cut into the diatomaceous earth material of the drying rack 105 in some embodiments after the drying rack is formed as a solid planar sheet.

(33) Referring still to FIGS. 9-11, the drying appliance 200 is shown including drying rack 205 and drain tray 210. The drain tray 210 is similar to the drain tray 110 in that the drain tray 210 is generally rectangular with rounded corners and has four cutouts 215 for accommodating and locating four cantilevered legs 220 of the drying rack 205 thereby securely and precisely placing the drain tray 210 relative to the drying rack 205 when assembled according to some embodiments. The drain tray 210 is made of a diatomaceous earth wicking material as opposed to the molded plastic or rubber polymer material of the prior art thereby more rapidly drawing moisture away from dishes, glassware, and utensils placed upon the drying rack 205. The use of the diatomaceous earth drain tray 210 results in more rapid and complete evaporation of water from the dishes (not shown), drying rack 205, and drain tray 210 as previously discussed.

(34) As compared to the previously discussed assembly 200 embodiment, the location of the assembly 100 relative to a sink, counter, or placement layout may not be as important because the assembly 100 embodiment illustrated omits the one or more drain spouts. Referring again to FIG. 4, the drain tray 110 can include a series of channels 160 including an outer-most channel 160A and a plurality of inner channels 160B. The channels 260 in the first embodiment are not interconnected to one or more outlets as in the second embodiment. According to the example shown in FIG. 4, the inventors of this patent application have found that the channels 160 in combination with the absorptive material of the drain tray 110 render one or more drain spouts unnecessary in some instances where the absorptive attributes of the train tray 110 may be devoid of an outlet where the amount of water dripped onto the absorptive drain tray 110 is absorbed and evaporated without the need for a traditional drain to un underlying sink, for example.

(35) While the above describes the preferred embodiment, the invention so described 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 subject invention. The present invention 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 of the invention 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.