DRYING PAD

Abstract

A drying pad may include a slab comprising diatomaceous earth and an elastomeric support frame. The slab may be characterized by a thickness, an outer perimeter, a top surface and a bottom surface; the slab further include at least one groove that extends into the top surface. The elastomeric support frame may have a top edge, a bottom edge, a side band coupling the top edge and the bottom edge, and a plurality of feet extending from the bottom edge. The side band may cover the outer perimeter; and the top edge, the bottom edge and the side band may enclose an outer portion of the slab adjacent the outer perimeter. The plurality of feet may extend away from the bottom edge such that when the plurality of feet are disposed on a horizontal surface, a gap exists between the bottom surface and the horizontal surface.

Claims

1. A drying pad, comprising: a generally rectangular slab comprising diatomaceous earth and being characterized by a thickness, an outer perimeter, a top surface, a bottom surface, a slab width and a slab length; the slab further comprising at least one groove that extends into the top surface and that is parallel to at least one of the length or the width; and a generally rectangular elastomeric support frame being characterized by a frame width and a frame length that correspond, respectively, to the slab width and slab length, and having a top edge, a bottom edge, a side band coupling the top edge and the bottom edge, and a plurality of feet extending away from the bottom edge such that when the plurality of feet are disposed on a horizontal surface, a gap exists between the bottom surface and the horizontal surface; wherein the side band covers the outer perimeter; and the top edge, the bottom edge and the side band enclose an outer portion of the slab adjacent the outer perimeter; and wherein the plurality of feet comprises corner feet at each corner of the generally rectangular elastomeric support frame and intermediate feet between the corner feet along at least one of the frame width or the frame length.

2. A drying pad, comprising: a slab comprising diatomaceous earth and being characterized by a thickness, an outer perimeter, a top surface and a bottom surface; the slab further comprising at least one groove that extends into the top surface; and an elastomeric support frame having a top edge, a bottom edge, a side band coupling the top edge and the bottom edge, and a plurality of feet extending from the bottom edge; wherein the side band covers the outer perimeter; and the top edge, the bottom edge and the side band enclose an outer portion of the slab adjacent the outer perimeter; and wherein the plurality of feet each extend away from the bottom edge such that when the plurality of feet are disposed on a horizontal surface, a gap exists between the bottom surface and the horizontal surface.

3. The drying pad of claim 2, wherein the slab is generally rectangular and is further characterized by a slab length and a slab width.

4. The drying pad of claim 3, wherein the at least one groove is parallel to at least one of the slab length or the slab width.

5. The drying pad of claim 3, wherein the elastomeric support frame is generally rectangular, corresponds in shape and size to the generally rectangular slab and is characterized by a frame width and a frame length.

6. The drying pad of claim 5, wherein the plurality of feet comprise feet in each corner of the generally rectangular elastomeric support frame and intermediate feet between the corner feet along at least one of the frame width or the frame length.

7. The drying pad of claim 2, wherein the slab and elastomeric support frame are configured in form as at least one of a circle, a triangle, a multi-sided polygon or an irregular shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary drying pad.

[0007] FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the exemplary drying pad of FIG. 1A.

[0008] FIG. 1C is a back perspective view of the exemplary drying pad of FIG. 1A.

[0009] FIG. 1D is a side view of the exemplary drying pad of FIG. 1A.

[0010] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary use of a drying pad.

[0011] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate exemplary alternative shapes to drying pads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary drying pad 101, and FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the same. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the exemplary drying pad 101 includes a generally rectangular slab 104. In some implementations, slab 104 comprises diatomaceous earth. In other implementations, the slab 104 comprises another absorbent material that wicks liquid into its volume, disperses that liquid throughout its volume, and facilitates evaporation of the same from across its external surface. The slab 104 may be characterized by a thickness 107, an outer perimeter 110, a top surface 113, a bottom surface 116, a slab width 119 and a slab length 122.

[0013] In some implementations, the slab 104 includes at least one groove (e.g., groove 125a; collectively, grooves 125) that extends into the top surface 113. In some implementations, as shown, the groove 125a may be parallel to the slab width 119; in other implementations the groove 125a may be parallel to the slab length 122; in still other implementations, the groove 125a may be disposed at some angle relative to either the slab width 119 or the slab length 122.

[0014] As shown, the exemplary drying element 101 further includes a generally rectangular support frame 128. In some implementations, the support frame 128 comprises an elastomeric material, such as, for example, silicone, food-grade silicone or another elastic and resilient polymer, rubber or other material.

[0015] The support frame 128 may be characterized by a frame width 131 and a frame length 134 that correspond, respectively, to the slab width 119 and slab length 122. (As used herein, correspond to may mean having approximately the same shape and size as; and as used herein, about, approximately or substantially may mean within 1%, or 5%, or 10%, or 20%, or 50%, or 100% of a nominal value.). The support frame 128 may further include a top edge 137, a bottom edge 140, a side band 143 coupling the top edge 137 and the bottom edge 140. In some implementations, the support frame 128 is configured to be stretched around and enclose an outer portion 156 of the slab 104.

[0016] Turning to FIG. 1C, which is a back perspective view of the exemplary drying pad 101, the support frame 128 may also include a plurality of feet 147 that extend away from the bottom edge 140. In some implementations, the plurality of feet 147 include corner feet 147a at each corner of the support frame 128; in some implementations, the plurality of feet 147 include intermediate feet 147b between corner feet 147 and along a frame length 134; in some implementations, the plurality of feet 147 include intermediate feet 147c along a frame width 131; in some implementations, the plurality of feet 147 include all of the foregoing feet 147a, 147b and 147c; and in other implementations, the plurality of feet 147 include only a subset of the foregoing.

[0017] In some implementations, as depicted in FIG. 1D, the plurality of feet 147 extend away from the bottom edge 140 such that when they are disposed on a horizontal surface 150, a gap 153 exists between the bottom edge 140 and the horizontal surface 150. This gap 153 may facilitate airflow under and around the drying element 101 (specifically, the slab 104), such that evaporation of any liquid contained in the slab 104 may be accelerated.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the side band 143 may cover the outer perimeter 110 of the slab 104, and the top edge 137, side band 143 and bottom edge 140 may enclose the outer portion 156 of the slab 104 adjacent the outer perimeter 110.

[0019] Turning to FIG. 2, one or more grooves (e.g., groove 125b; collectively, grooves 125) may serve multiple purposes. For example, the grooves 125 may increase the surface area of the top surface 113 of the slab 104, such that absorption of liquid (e.g., from wet dishes that are disposed on the drying element 101, as depicted in FIG. 2) is enhanced. As another example, the groove 125b may help support dishes (e.g., plate 202) in an upright or inclined position to facilitate draining of liquid on the dishes into the slab 104. To facilitate this latter exemplary function, the grooves 125 may extend sufficiently into the top surface 113 and be wide enough to grab the edges of dishes that may be partially disposed within the grooves 125. For example, in some implementations, the grooves 125 may be at least about 4-5 mm wide and at least about 3-6mm wide. These exemplary measurements are only thatin other implementations, width may be at least about 2 mm and up to about 12-13 mm, and depth may be between about 3 mm and about one half the thickness of the slab 104; in still other implementations, width and depth may have other absolute or relative dimensions.

[0020] In some implementations, the slab and frame described above may have a shape other than a rectangle. For example, with reference to FIG. 3A, a drying pad 301a may have a circular or elliptical shape. Grooves 325a may be parallel to a first axis 303 and/or perpendicular to a second axis 306. Moreover, as depicted, multiple grooves 325 may vary in lengthin some cases, roughly following an outer edge of the drying pad 301a, as shown.

[0021] As another example, as depicted in FIG. 3B, a drying pad 301b may have a polygonal shape. A triangle shape is shown, but polygons with other numbers of sides (four, five, six, seven, eight, ten, etc.) may be employed. Moreover, such polygons may be regular or irregular. Grooves 325b may vary in length and may be disposed parallel to an edge of the drying pad 301b, as shown, or they may be disposed in a different manner.

[0022] As another example, as depicted in FIG. 3C, a drying pad 301c may have an irregular or amorphous shape. Grooves 325c, 325d or 325e may have varied lengths or fixed lengths; and such grooves 325c, 325d or 325e may have various angular relationships to each other and to any nearby edge of the drying pad 301c.

[0023] Several implementations have been described with reference to exemplary aspects, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the contemplated scope. For example, various materials may be used for both the slab and the support frame; various numbers and shapes of legs may be employed to separate the drying pad (particularly the slab) from a horizontal surface on which it is disposed; drying pads may have various shapes and sizes; various numbers of grooves may be included (from at least one, to many); grooves may have various widths and depths; grooves may be linear or non-linear.

[0024] Many other variations are possible, and modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings provided herein without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the scope include all aspects falling within the scope of the appended claims.