DISH DRYING MAT

Abstract

A foldable dish drying mat includes a first mat section having a recessed area and the recessed area including discrete discontinuous ridges all directed in a first direction. The foldable dish drying mat also includes a second mat section having a recessed area and the recessed area including discrete discontinuous ridges all directed in a second direction, the first mat section configured to be coupled to the second mat section along an edge and forming a first hinge. Further, the foldable dish drying mat includes a third mat section having a recessed area and the recessed area including discrete discontinuous ridges all directed in a third direction, the third mat section configured to be coupled to the second mat section along an edge and forming a second hinge. The third direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction and the ridges of the second mat section are configured to engage with the ridges of the third mat section when the dish drying mat is in a folded state.

Claims

1. A foldable dish drying mat, comprising: a first mat section having a recessed area and the recessed area including discrete discontinuous ridges all directed in a first direction; a second mat section having a recessed area and the recessed area including discrete discontinuous ridges all directed in a second direction, the first mat section configured to be coupled to the second mat section along an edge and forming a first hinge; and a third mat section having a recessed area and the recessed area including discrete discontinuous ridges all directed in a third direction, the third mat section configured to be coupled to the second mat section along an edge and forming a second hinge, wherein the third direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction and the ridges of the second mat section are configured to engage with the ridges of the third mat section when the dish drying mat is in a folded state.

2. The foldable dish drying mat of claim 1, wherein the first direction is substantially the same as the third direction.

3. The foldable dish drying mat of claim 1, wherein the first section, second section, and third section are substantially formed of silicone.

4. The foldable dish drying mat of claim 1, wherein the discrete discontinuous ridges are formed in more than one length.

5. The foldable dish drying mat of claim 1, wherein a rim is formed adjacent the periphery of each of the mat sections.

6. The foldable dish drying mat of claim 5, wherein the rim is at least as tall as the discrete discontinuous ridges.

7. The foldable dish drying mat of claim 6, further comprising: at least one raised portion on one of the second mat section and the third mat section, the at least one raised portion is taller than the rim.

8. The foldable dish drying mat of claim 7, wherein the at least one raised portion is configured to engage with and nest with at least one corner of the rim of the other of the second mat section and the third mat section.

9. The foldable dish drying mat of claim 7, wherein the at least one raised portion is configured to engage with and nest with depression formed in the rim.

10. The foldable dish drying mat of claim 1, wherein the second mat section is configured to fold over the third mat section and the first mat section is configured to fold over the second mat section in such a manner that the recessed area of the first mat section is exposed and the recessed area of the second mat section and the third mat section are concealed when in the folded state.

11. The foldable dish drying mat of claim 1, wherein the first hinge comprises a webbing coupled adjacent the top of an edge of the first mat section and the top of an edge of the second mat section.

12. The foldable dish drying mat of claim 1, wherein the second hinge comprises a webbing coupled adjacent the bottom of an edge of the second mat section and the bottom of an edge of the third mat section.

13. A silicone dish drying mat, comprising: a first mat section having a rim formed around the periphery of the first mat section, the rim forming a recessed area and the recessed area including discrete discontinuous ridges disposed within the recessed area, a plurality of the discrete discontinuous ridges directed in a first direction; a second mat section having a rim formed around the periphery of the second mat section, the rim forming a recessed area and the recessed area including discrete discontinuous ridges disposed within the recessed area, a plurality of the discrete discontinuous ridges directed in a second direction, the first mat section configured to be coupled to the second mat section along an edge and forming a first hinge; and a third mat section having a rim formed around the periphery of the third mat section, the rim forming a recessed area and the recessed area including discrete discontinuous ridges disposed within the recessed area, a plurality of the discrete discontinuous ridges directed in a third direction, the third mat section configured to be coupled to the second mat section along an edge and forming a second hinge, wherein the third direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction and the ridges of the second mat section are configured to engage with the ridges of the third mat section when the dish drying mat is in a folded state.

14. The silicone dish drying mat of claim 13, wherein the first direction is substantially the same as the third direction.

15. The silicone dish drying mat of claim 14, wherein the rim is at least as tall as the discrete discontinuous ridges.

16. The silicone dish drying mat of claim 15, further comprising: at least one raised portion on one of the second mat section and the third mat section, the at least one raised portion is taller than the rim.

17. The silicone dish drying mat of claim 16, wherein the at least one raised portion is configured to engage with and nest with at least one corner of the rim of the other of the second mat section and the third mat section.

18. The silicone dish drying mat of claim 13, wherein the second mat section is configured to fold over the third mat section and the first mat section is configured to fold over the second mat section in such a manner that the recessed area of the first mat section is exposed and the recessed area of the second mat section and the third mat section are concealed when in the folded state.

19. The silicone dish drying mat of claim 13, wherein the first hinge comprises a webbing coupled adjacent the top of an edge of the first mat section and the top of an edge of the second mat section.

20. The silicone dish drying mat of claim 13, wherein the second hinge comprises a webbing coupled adjacent the bottom of an edge of the second mat section and the bottom of an edge of the third mat section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is an illustrative embodiment of a conventional tri-fold drying mat.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an illustrative embodiment of an edge view of the tri-fold drying mat of FIG. 1 in a folded configuration.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an illustrative embodiment of an illustrative embodiment of an improved tri-fold drying mat.

[0011] FIG. 4 is an illustrative embodiment of an edge view of the tri-fold drying mat of FIG. 3.

[0012] FIG. 5A is an illustrative embodiment of the edge view of the drying mat of FIG. 4 while being folded.

[0013] FIG. 5B is an illustrative embodiment of the edge view of the drying mat of FIG. 4 in a folded configuration.

[0014] FIG. 6 is an illustrative embodiment of a foldable drying mat having raised male portions on a third mat section configured to engage with depressed areas of a second mat region, when folded.

[0015] FIG. 7 is an illustrative embodiment of the raised male portions depicted in FIG. 6.

[0016] FIG. 8 is an illustrative embodiment of a dish drying mat in a folded configuration and a dish holding rack.

[0017] The use of the same symbols in different drawings typically indicates similar or identical items unless context dictates otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a tri-fold dish drying mat 100 may be formed of silicone or other flexible materials. Drying mat 100 includes three sections 110, 120, and 130. As depicted in FIG. 2, tri-fold dish drying mat 100 may be folded as depicted in FIG. 2 where sections 110, 120, and 130 are folded one over the other for storage purposes or for use as a smaller footprint mat during times when counter space is limited. Mat portions 110, 120, and 130 each include a recessed area 115, 125, and 135. Recessed areas 115, 125, and 135 are configured to hold water which may drip from cleaned but wet dishes. Each of sections 110, 120, and 130 include numerous discrete non-continuous ridges 117, 127, and 137 which all run in the same direction.

[0019] As seen however in FIG. 2, when folded, the top of mat 100 does not lay completely flat which poses a problem when the tri-folded mat is completely folded and used as a compact sized drying mat. When some dishes, e.g. lightweight plastic bottles, are placed on the uneven surface of mat 100, they may topple from being off-balance. The uneven surface of the top surface of folded mat 100 is at least partially caused by some of the numerous ridges 127 and 137 engaging one another while others of ridges 127 and 137 fail to engage one another and provide support for the mat surface in combination with the flexibility of the mat material. Further, as dishes are put atop the folded dish drying mat, more deflection may occur in areas where ridges don't happen to align with each other and provide support for the mat surface causing even more of an uneven surface which increases the chance of toppling of some of the dishes.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3, in accordance with various illustrative embodiments a foldable dish drying mat 300 is depicted. Mat 300 includes a first mat section 310 having a recessed area 315 for catching dish water. The recessed area 315 includes a plurality of discrete discontinuous ridges 317 all directed or oriented in a single direction. A second mat section 320 has a recessed area 325 for catching dish water. The recessed area 325 includes discrete discontinuous ridges 327 all directed in a single direction. The direction of the ridges 327 are substantially orthogonal to the direction of the ridges 317. The first mat section 310 is configured to be coupled to the second mat section 320 along an edge and forming a first hinge 319. A third mat section 330 has a recessed area 335. The recessed area 335 includes discrete discontinuous ridges 337. In accordance with various illustrative embodiments, ridges 337 may all be oriented in a direction that is substantially orthogonal or perpendicular to the direction of ridges 327. The third mat section 330 is configured to be coupled to the second mat section along an edge and forming a second hinge 329. In accordance with various illustrative embodiments, the direction of ridges 337 is substantially perpendicular to the direction of ridges 327 and ridges 327 are configured to engage with ridges 337 when the dish drying mat is in a folded state. As depicted, ridges 317 may be oriented in the same direction as ridges 327 but are not limited to such a configuration. Because when the mat is fully folded ridges 317 are exposed as a working surface where dishes can be dried, ridges 317 are not configured to engage any other ridges, therefore ridges 317 may be oriented in any direction without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As depicted in FIG. 3, the ridges 317, 327, and 337 may be of varied lengths not limited to the configuration shown.

[0021] In accordance with illustrative embodiments, a rim 313, 323, 333 may be formed around each section of sections 310, 320, 330, respectively. Rims 313, 323, and 333 define recessed areas 315, 325, and 335 respectively as well as keeping liquid contained within the recessed areas 315, 325, and 335. It should also be noted that ridges 317, 327, and 337 are configured to be discrete and discontinuous so that water may flow and be contained throughout the recessed areas 315, 325, and 335. Further, ridges 317, 327, and 337 along with rims 313, 323, and 333 may support various drying dishes. The height of ridges 317, 327, and 337 and rims 313, 323, and 333 allow drying dishes to drip water into recessed areas 315, 325, and 335 while also allowing air to flow around the bottom of the dishes resting on the mat surface. In accordance with various embodiments, ridges 317, 327, and 337 may be substantially the same height as rims 313, 323, and 333, which further aids in maintaining the surfaces flat when in a folded state.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 4, an edge view of dish drying mat 300 with sections 310, 320, and 330 that are linked by hinges 319 and 329. Hinges 319 and 329 may be a webbing which may be configured of silicone or other flexible materials. In accordance with illustrative embodiments, hinge 319 may be coupled to sections 310 and 320 adjacent the top of sections 310 and 320. Hinge 329 is coupled to sections 320 and 330 adjacent the bottom of sections 320 and 330. With this configuration of hinges 319 and 329, sections 310, 320, and 330 may be folded in the manner depicted in FIG. 5A. When folded flat as depicted in FIG. 5B, the configuration of hinges 319 and 329 pulls the edges together so that the sections lay flat against one another. If the hinges 319 and 329 are connected at different points, they may tend to drive the edges apart and therefore cause the top surface of the stack to not be completely substantially level. Thus, the configuration depicted in FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B tends to be particularly advantageous.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 6, section 330, in accordance with various embodiments, may include raised portions 350, 351, 352, and 353. As seen in FIG. 7, raised portions 350, 352, and 353 like raised portion 351 extend above the rim 333. When the drying mat is folded, the raised portions 350, 351, 352, and 353 are configured to frictionally engage and nest with the corners of rim 323 of section 320. Alternatively, there may be depressions formed in rim 323 which are configured to engage with the raised portions. The raised portions nesting with depressions of section 320 helps to maintain a level surface for the folded dish drying mat by keeping sections 320 and 330 together.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 8, a dish rack 360 may be configured to fit atop of folded dish drying mat 300. Dish rack 360 is for example purposes only and could be configured of a different size, design or configuration without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0025] In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as configured to, configured by, configurable to, operable/operative to, adapted/adaptable, able to, conformable/conformed to, etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such terms (e.g., configured to) generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.

[0026] While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as open terms (e.g., the term including should be interpreted as including but not limited to, the term having should be interpreted as having at least, the term includes should be interpreted as includes but is not limited to, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases at least one and one or more to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles a or an limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases one or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an (e.g., a and/or an should typically be interpreted to mean at least one or one or more); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of two recitations, without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, and C, etc. is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., a system having at least one of A, B, and C would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, or C, etc. is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., a system having at least one of A, B, or C would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase A or B will be typically understood to include the possibilities of A or B or A and B.

[0027] With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like responsive to, related to, or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.