U.S. patent application number 09/836596 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-10 for space saver dish strainer.
Invention is credited to Adkins, Kathleen J..
Application Number | 20020144960 09/836596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25272302 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020144960 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Adkins, Kathleen J. |
October 10, 2002 |
Space saver dish strainer
Abstract
This Space Saver Dish Strainer is appealing due to its ease of
use, adjustable design, convenience, durability, effectiveness,
time-savings, and practicality. This dish strainer has two shelf
compartments enough room for a typical day of dishes. The strainer
will allow the water to drain from dishes directly into the sink
below. The circulating air that is above the sink that runs through
the plastic or rubber-coated wires would facilitate a more sanitary
method of drying dishes, dishes would be safe from germs, bacteria,
residue, odors and detergents from draining base, and the dishes
could be dried in a timely and effective fashion. This kitchen tool
would save a busy homemaker a considerable amount of time and
energy while washing and drying dishes and when the dishes are dry,
no mess is left behind, and it is simply folded down and slide it
under the sink. While dishes are drying individuals would feel free
to wash their hands in the sink. This strainer could be welcomed by
individuals who dry dishes normally by hand. It could also appeal
to dishwasher-owners who use a drying rack for pots, pans, china,
glassware, etc. The Space Saver Dish Strainer would be compact,
easy to use, durable convenient, effective, reasonably priced,
sanitary, timesaving, and would have a solid construction. Not only
is it convenient for the home, but also great for away from home
like in your mobile home, houseboat, RV, camper, or out on the
trail backpacking or camping.
Inventors: |
Adkins, Kathleen J.;
(Indianapolis, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kathleen J. Adkins
6513 Westdrum Road
Indianapolis
IN
46241
US
|
Family ID: |
25272302 |
Appl. No.: |
09/836596 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/41.6 ;
211/119 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 19/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/41.6 ;
211/119 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/08 |
Claims
1. What I claim as my invention is that the Space Saver Dish
Strainer is just that--It saves space in the kitchen.
2. What I also claim is that air drying the dishes which allows the
excess water to stain off quicker is much more sanitary than drying
on the sink top or inside the sink above a puddle of water.
3. What I claim to be my final claim is that this strainer is
easier to collapse and store away after the dishes are dry.
Description
SPECIFICATIONS OF INVENTION
[0001] The invention of the Space Saver Dish Strainer is an
improved method of dish drying that resembles the present dish
strainers in that the material is made of plastic-coated wire but
unlike the present, this one is supported by chain link for all
parts of the plastic-coated wire. Also, while other models are
intended to be placed into the sink or are placed on the
counter-top, this "space saver dish strainer" conveniently
eliminates the use of the counter space and the sink space and
simply uses the air space directly above the sink. Dishes dry
faster and it eliminates the possibility of mildew and bacteria
build-up on the counter-top, while at the same time, freeing up the
sink space for washing and/or rinsing the dishes. When this Space
Saver Dish Strainer is not in use, it can be folded down and slid
under the sink into a tray or container (open-ended) designed for
easy storage. Another container thought of and designed for this
invention would be a cabinet that would be mounted next to your
original cabinets (made of the same wood/wood fiber) that is
designed specifically to contain the strainer. The strainer would
fold out of the cabinet just as the old style ironing boards did in
the late '60s and drop directly over the sink. Cabinet
manufacturers could add the feature to a new set of cabinets or
simply match the wood type of the old cabinets.
TITLE OF INVENTION
[0002] Space Saver Dish Strainer
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0003] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0004] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0005] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] This invention relates to the field of home economics. If
you own an old home, chances are you have a small kitchen. If you
own a camper, RV, or houseboat, you have a small kitchen. If you
live in another country, chances are you have a small kitchen.
Also, if you camp with only a tent, a kitchen doesn't exist. This
invention will free up any available space you normally place
dishes while they are drying and while camping the Space Saver Dish
Strainer can be attached to a tree and all your clean dishes will
be free from the ground. The present invention that is almost
similar to the Space Saver Dish Strainer, is a plastic-coated wire
item dish strainer that is placed on top of the counter top or fits
in most sinks.
[0007] One problem with the present dish strainer is that it takes
up too much needed space on the counter-top or in the sink. It is
difficult to utilize the counter with the dish strainer on top of
it and it is difficult to rinse dishes when it has the dish
strainer in it. This Space Saver Dish Strainer hangs above your
rinse sink and can be used by a person who is a right sided
rinse-sink person or a left-sided rinse person. It can be hung from
either side.
[0008] Another problem with the present dish strainer is that the
water doesn't strain away from the flat surface beneath the dishes
fast enough. The shape of the flat surface has only a slight
incline, where there is water that rest on top of a flat surface,
for any length of time, there is going to be puddles, germs,
bacteria, residue, odors and left-over detergents and eventually
mildew. This dish drying rack would provide a more sanitary method
of drying dishes. The excess water is quickly and easily drained
away from the dishes into the sink. The Space Saver Dish Strainer
features a series of vertically hung compartments to allow water
from glasses, saucers, plates, silverware and other items to drain
directly into the sink through the wire openings and down into the
sink, not resting on the top of your counter-top. Thus, they could
be dried in a timely and effective fashion. The hanging design
would allow air to circulate to speed up the drying process.
[0009] Another problem with the present dish strainer is that once
you've completed the dishes, you have no place to easily store away
the strainer. It doesn't fold away, it's size is about 12-13 inches
square and five inches deep. This modernized, fold away rack folds
down to 13.times.two inches. The Space Saver Dish Strainer would be
compact and easy to use, convenient, effective, and sanitary.
[0010] It would feature a holder for utensils (net-like basket), a
molded plate and bowl rack (as in present design) and enough room
for cups and pans. There are many products formed from the
plastic-coated metal wire. Many department stores, drug stores, and
grocery stores carry them. The plastic coating on these products is
preferred due to is durability. This material is
corrosion-resistant and works well in any area that water is
utilized. This alternative to drying dishes would also benefit in
restaurants for use in commercial kitchens.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In summary, the Space Saver Dish Strainer will save valuable
space for those who work in the kitchen. Especially if you live in
an older home, if you live in a mobile home, houseboat, or RV, or
it can conveniently be connected to a tree out in the woods while
camping or backpacking. Even if you do have plenty of counter
space, the Space Saver Dish Strainer is definitely more sanitary
than the traditional method of setting the dishes out to dry. The
air circulation surrounding the dishes aids the excess water to run
directly into the sink, thus keeping clean dishes away from the
mold and mildew and allowing them to dry faster. Also, the Space
Saver Dish Strainer is conveniently collapsible so that it can be
stored away easily when the dishes are dry.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0012] Drawing I of V--This is a top view, looking down of the
1.sup.st and 2.sup.nd layers of the Space Saver Dish Strainer
("strainer"). The sizes are depicted on it. For the strainer that
hangs over the sink by a hook, the dimensions are 13" by 13"
square. The dimensions of the strainer that would fit into a
cabinet are 13".times.10". The lifts and the other dimensions of
this construction are exactly like the present dish strainer, with
preference to the 1" square gaps. Toward the bottom of the top view
there is two different types of plastic coated wires. One is
labeled hook and the other is labeled eye. The hook plastic-coated
wire is for the bottom layer only. The hook allows the chain link
to begin with a sturdy connector, each of the 4 sides treated
individually. All four chains will connect through all the eyes,
working their way to the top of the entire construction at which
point they meet and to connect for the main chain that it hangs by.
The main chain will be the chain that connects to the hanging
devise. The eye, plastic-coated wire will be used for all
protective bars and the top layer of the strainer. It is important
that all the chains are connected to these loops at precisely equal
links. This will keep the entire strainer level. Both layers, top
and bottom, should have a double stack of the plastic coated wire
on the outer edges to give the layers an lift. The bottom of the
hook layer-outer rim would be double and the bottom of the eye
layer (top shelf)-outer rim would be double.
[0013] Drawing II of V--This drawing is the front view of the
entire construction of the strainer (not including the hooks and
the hanging devise). The entire strainer will take up 22 inches of
air space above your sink (either on the left or the right). The
recommended distance above the sink facet is seven inches. This
allows plenty of room to move the facet back and forth. The
distance from the bottom layer to the first protective bar and
second protective bar is 2 inches. This will help to keep the cups,
saucers and bowls inside the strainer. I have allowed another 4
inches for room to place the dishes inside the strainer on the
lower level. Also on the lower level is the placement for the
silverware basket. This basket is made of a rubber or plastic
fish/net construction. On the left corner, rear of strainer, is
where the silverware basket will be placed. To keep the silverware
basket in place, 2 or 4 rubber stoppers will need to be placed on
protective bars to keep the silverware basket in place. These will
keep it from sliding and you can place silverware in and out with
ease. All the plastic-coated wires shouldn't be more than 1/4 inch
thick.
[0014] Drawing III of V--This drawing shows in more detail what the
silverware basket should look like at its placement on the top of
the top protective bar on the 1st layer. A flimsy material used
will allow it to collapse with the entire construction. Toward the
bottom of the page is a view of the sample of hanging devises if
not constructed with the cabinet type. The swivel hanger is a
present model and has been used for a plant hanger. It would be
important, however, that the hook part of the hanger locked and its
position while outward locked. The hook that is at the bottom of
the page is also a present model and should also lock. This hook is
hanging from the hook in the ceiling. Both the ceiling hook and the
swivel hook should be constructed to hold up to 25-30 pounds.
[0015] Drawing IV of V--This drawing is only to show a side view of
the cabinet that would contain the strainer model designed for it
(13".times.10"). Like the ironing-board that use to be hidden away
in a cabinet, so is this Space Saver Dish Strainer. The cabinet is
only 3" thick that would be added to the end of your other
cabinets, if you have them close to your sink that is. Typically,
cabinets do end at the sink. The height would be 30" for the
cabinet.
[0016] Drawing V of V--This is another drawing of the side-view of
the cabinet model of the strainer. In this view has the cabinet
open to give a better view of what the strainer looks like out.
This cabinet is 30" tall, some cabinets may be a little smaller but
the extended arm that has the Space Saver Dish Strainer on it is
connected at 12" up from the bottom. This allows the same distance
for moving the facet back and forth. Depending on left/right side
preference, is the side you have the cabinet installed. The door to
the cabinet opens away from you, toward the wall. There is a clasp
on the inside of the cabinet that holds the construction in and
allows it to come out easily.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The Space Saver Dish Strainer (strainer) could be produced
easily using convention and readily available materials and
manufacturing processes. No new production technology would be
required. The strainer could be produced from a plastic-or rubber
coated wire, the use of a small but durable chain with connectors
and the rubber or plastic made net-like basket for the silverware.
Additionally, all the hanging devises are present models and do not
require new technology and cabinets are made to fit any size you
require in your kitchen. Placing a collapsible strainer inside the
cabinet is not a typical use for the cabinet, but it to would not
require any new technology.
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