Combination Dish Rack And Tray

Abstract

A storable combination dish rack and tray made unitarily from plastic and including at least three panels (preferably four) integrally hinged to one another, said panels being movable between a stored, folded position and a use, unfolded position. Support means provided on the upper surface of the panels to hold dishes and the like upright for drying are constructed and arranged so that they will not interfere with folding and storage of the dish rack and tray.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a dish rack and tray and more particularly, to a combination dish rack and tray that can be folded to a compact form for storage and readily unfolded for use.

It is known to utilize a folding dish drying rack to support dishes and the like for drying. One prior rack was comprised of a plurality of wire elements forming segments that were pivotally connected to one another to provide a collapsible rack. An example of this type of rack is shown in Einhorn U.S. Pat. No. 2,516,088. Such rack was ordinarily placed on a sink top or alternatively, on a separate tray member for directing the water draining from the dishes, cups, bowls or the like into the sink.

In another arrangement, shown for example in Peters U.S. Pat. Nos. 990,454, a collapsible dish drainer rack was associated with a pan or receiving the drained water.

Later, a collapsible dish draining rack was associated with a substantially planar tray made for example from sheet metal. The type of construction is illustrated in Jenness U.S. Pat. No. 2,479,118.

Rigid dish racks molded from plastic have been used in the home. The racks are not collapsible and therefore, storage of such racks can be difficult. None of the prior art known to me comprises a combination dish rack and tray readily molded integrally from plastic that can be readily folded into a compact form for storage and then readily unfolded for use.

An object of the present is to provide an improved combination dish rack and tray wherein the disadvantages and deficiencies of prior constructions are obviated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved storable dish rack and tray made unitarily from plastic and including four integrally hinged panels, the panels being provided with support means for holding dishes and the like in position for draining of liquid therefrom and the panels being constructed and arranged for ease of folding to facilitate storage in a small space.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved combination dish rack and tray molded from plastic and comprising four panels integrally hinged to one another, wall means formed on the rear of each of the panels and at the sides of the outermost panels, the panels and wall means being constructed and arranged to permit ready folding for storage in a small space and ready unfolding for use. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made more apparent hereafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

There is illustrated in the attached drawing presently preferred embodiments of the present invention wherein like numerals in the various views refer to like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the storable combination dish rack and tray of the present invention in folded position ready for storage;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the right rear illustrating the dish rack and tray of the present invention unfolded and ready for use;

FIG. 3 is a detail cross-sectional view of the dish rack and tray taken generally along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the silverware holder of the present invention shown prior to assembly;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the silverware holder of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the combination dish rack and tray;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the combination dish rack and tray taken generally along the line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the combination dish rack and tray taken generally along the line 8--8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the combination dish rack and tray taken generally along the line 8--8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the combination dish rack and tray taken generally along the line 10--10 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is an end view of the silverware holder taken generally along the line 11--11 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged detail view of the latch for retaining the silverware holder in assembled position taken generally in the area 12 shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged detail view of the retaining member which engages within the latch shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a detail cross-sectional view of a modified combination dish rack and tray, such view being taken comparable to the area 14 shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 15--15 of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a detail cross-sectional view of an integral hinge taken generally in the area 16 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a combination dish rack and tray 10 embodying the present invention and illustrated in a folded condition ready for storage. Preferably, the device 10 comprises panel members integrally molded from plastic and hinged one to the other.

turning to FIG. 2 there is illustrated the combination dish rack and tray 10 unfolded for use. As shown the device 10 comprises panel sections 12, 13, 14 and 15 hingedly connected to one another along the adjoining or adjacent sides by hinge means 16, 17 and 18 formed integrally therewith. Side wall means 20 and 22 are integrally formed with the outermost panels 12 and 15 respectively. The side walls 20 and 22 may be decoratively formed as for example, by scallops along the upper edge thereof, and are preferably inclined downwardly and inwardly adjacent the front edge thereof so as to help guide any water draining from the tray inwardly toward the sink or suitable receptacle.

Integrally formed with the side wall 20 is a rear wall 24. Integrally formed with the side wall 22 is a rear wall 26. The side walls 20 and 22 respectively, merge smoothly with the rear walls 24 and 26, respectively. Separate rear wall means 28 and 30 are formed on the panel 13 and 14 respectively. The rear wall segments 24, 26, 28 and 30 are separate one from the other and are offset one from the other so as to permit interfitting relationship of the rear wall segments when the dish rack and tray is folded, as shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated, the panel 30 is forward of the panel 28. Panel 28 is forward of the panel 26. The panel 26 is forward of the panel 24. The offsetting construction of rear wall parts aids in the folding of the combination dish rack and tray into a compact organization.

As best shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 8, support means for cups or the like are positioned adjacent the side walls 20 and 22. The support means comprise rows of finger-like elements 30, 32, 34 and 36 and 38, 40, 42 and 44 which extend upwardly from the tray 12. The vertical extent of the support means 30, 32, 34, 36 is less than that of the side wall 20. Similarly, the support means 38, 40, 42 and 44 is less in vertical height than the side wall 22. Vertically extending triangular rib means 45, are provided generally transverse to the plane of each finger-like element to help rigidify them with respect to a respective side wall. In use, a cup with the open end down will be positioned over a respective support means. The cup will be spaced from the bottom of the tray and thus freely drain water.

Also extending upwardly from the tray are support means for retaining dishes or the like in a generally upright position to facilitate better drainage of liquid. Such support means comprise a pair of like upright members 46 and 48 each provided with a plurality of transversely aligned like recesses 49 and 50. It will be understood that a dish may be inserted in a generally vertical plane and retained in a pair of transversely aligned recesses, 49, 50 in the uprights 46, 48. Preferably, the uprights 46 and 48 are molded integrally with the panels 14 and 15 respectively, and are supported in the desired generally vertical use position by means of supporting ribs 52, which may be triangular in elevation view. The upright members 46 and 48 are constructed so that they will not interfere with folding from the use position to the storage position. Specifically, the height of the members 46 and 48 is less than that of the rear wall means 30. The member 46 is positioned on panel 14 and the member 48 is positioned on panel 15 such that the panels can be disposed at right angles without member 48 contacting member 46.

Each of the panels 12, 13, 14 and 15 is provided with one or more sinuous ridges or raised projections 60 for rigidifying each panel and for assisting in drainage of fluid or liquid from a bowl or the like lying on the panels which cooperate to define a tray. As illustrated, each panel is provided with two sinuous members 60 extending substantially the entire length from front to rear of each panel. For example, in use, if the panels had planar tops, and a bowl were placed inverted onto the top of one or more panels, air would not reach the interior thereof and there would be improper drying. With the raised projections or bulges 60, the top surface of each panel is not flat and air can reach the interior of the bowl or the like and thus enhance the drying thereof. In addition, the projections 60 help to rigidify and provide additional strength for each of the panels 12, 13, 14 and 15.

The combination dish rack and tray 10 may be retained in the stored position by means of ancillary fastening means, as for example, a rubber band, strip, or the like positioned over the exterior. Alternatively, interlocking means may be provided on the device 10 for holding the parts in the stored position. A projection 62 can be formed on the side wall 22 and be adapted to engage within a keyhole-like slot 64 or recess in the side wall 20. Other forms of retention will be evident to those having skill in the art.

Extending upwardly from the base or top of the combination dish rack and tray is a silverware holder identified generally by the numeral 68. The silverware holder 68 (FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 11, 12 and 13) is comprised of four panels 70, 72, 74 and 76 joined together by integral hinge means 71, 73 and 75. Extending outwardly from each of the panels 70, 72, 74 and 76 is a wall segment 80, 81, 82 and 83 respectively, which are of such a length as to be joined centrally so as to subdivide an assembled silverware holder 68 into four sections. The silverware holder 68 is retained in assembled position shown in FIG. 2 by means of cooperating interlocking means on the panels 70 and 76. The cooperating interlocking means or latch means comprise projections or extensions 86 on the panel 76 which are adapted to be received within the cooperating retainers 87 on the panel 70. The projections 86, which are each rib-like in form, extend substantially the entire length of the side of the panel 76 and the cooperating latch means 87 are formed along the length of the panel 70. The latch means may be substantially coextensive with the ribs or alternatively the latch means 87 may comprise cooperating lengths of spaced apart portions as best seen in FIG. 11. In any event, there is a firm interengaging of parts 86 and 87 to hold the silverware holder assembled.

The dimensions of the panels 70, 72, 74 and 76 are such that the silverware holder 68 can be retained in position on device 10 when it is folded for storage. The holder 68 may be square as viewed in plan when assembled, or it can be rectangular. In either event the walls or panels will be proportioned so as to be less than the width of an associated e.g. panel 14, and less in height than adjacent panels 13 and 15. The holder 68 is preferably molded from plastic, e.g. polypropylene. If desired, the hinge can be made from polypropylene and molded into polyethylene panels. The device 10 can be similarly fabricated from molded polypropylene or a combination of polyethylene and polypropylene.

Complementary locating and retaining means are provided between the silverware holder 68 and the tray of the combination dish rack and tray 10. The locating and retaining means comprises upwardly extending projections 90 and 91 on the top of the panel 14 which cooperate with slots 92 and 93 formed in the walls 70 and 74 of the silverware holder 68. The slots 92 and 93 are in the panels 70 and 74 as best illustrated in FIG. 5.

Turning now to FIG. 7, 8, 9 and 10 there is shown further details of construction of the combination dish reck and tray 10. Extending from the bottom of the tray of the combination dish rack and tray 10 are a plurality of support means which are constructed and arranged so as to angle or tilt the base of the tray toward the front end. In the event the device 10 is supported on a horizontal flat surface, the device 10 will be tiled toward the open end or front end to assure drainage of liquid therefrom. As illustrated, the support means comprise a plurality of half-moon projections 100, 101, 102, 103, and 104 which extend in alignment beneath each of the panels. As best seen in FIG. 7, there are two rows of projections beneath each of the panels 12, 13, 14 and 15 which form the tray or base of the combination dish rack and tray. The fronts of the panels are tapered or feathered to the forward end so as to form an outwardly inclined lip to facilitate draining of liquids from the tray.

With reference to FIG. 11 there is illustrated further detail of the silverware holder 68. The divider wall 80, which is typical of the walls 80, 81, 82 and 83, has a flat top and the lower portion thereof is curved or contoured as illustrated in FIG. 11. Other shapes are possible, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In FIG. 16 there is illustrated a typical hinge between a pair of adjacent panels. Preferably the lower surface or outer surface of the hinge is formed flat whereas the upper surface is intended approximately two-thirds of the way. The indentation or recess 110 provides a means for folding of the hinge upon itself so as to permit a full 90.degree. fold. Folding of the panels upon the hinges is easy and there is provided a compact package for storage when the panels are folded up as seen in FIG. 1. It is noted that the construction of the hinges between the panels of the silverware holder is of the same basic design.

Turning to FIGS. 14 and 15 there is illustrated a modification of the support means for cups or the like. In this case the support members, for example the support member 132, extends upwardly from the base and the support rib 145 is indented from the wall 122. In operation the projection 132 performs the same purpose as the projection 32 and the only difference is in the molding of the device 10.

There has been disclosed a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention which comprises a unitarily formed construction of four panels integrally hinged one upon the other and constructed and arranged such that silverware holder may be folded readily within the device. The device is relatively inexpensive to fabricate and desirably provides a combination of a dish rack and a tray in a single unit. If desired, the silverware holder may be fabricated integrally with the base or alternatively it may be fabricated as a separate unit. It will be understood that the maximum dimension or height of the silverware holder is less than that of the side walls to permit effective folding and storage of the device.

While there has been shown and described a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. Therefore, it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A storable dish rack and tray comprised of at least three panels integrally hinged to one another, said panels being movable between a stored, folded position and a use, unfolded position, wherein the panels from a tray, first upright wall means along the outermost panels, first support means on the underside of the panels for tilting the tray toward one end to assist drainage of liquid from the tray in use, second support means on the top of at least one panel for retaining dishes and the like generally upright for drainage, said second support means being dimensioned so as not to interfere with the folding of the panels to a compact package and second upright wall means at the rear of each panel constructed and arranged to interfit with one another to permit unhindered fold up and storage of the dish rack and tray after use.

2. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 wherein the panels are each generally rectangular in plan and are connected along adjoining sides by hinge means, the panels and hinge means being formed integrally from plastic.

3. A dish rack and tray as in claim 2 wherein the plastic is polypropylene.

4. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 wherein the tray is imperforate.

5. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 including a silverware holder comprising wall means extending upwardly from the tray.

6. A dish rack and tray as in claim 5 wherein the silverware holder and tray are formed with complementary retention means, whereby the silverware holder may be detachably retained on the tray.

7. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 wherein raised means are provided on the top of the tray for adding support to the tray and for permitting drainage of liquid from within partially enclosed items, as for example, glasses and bowls disposed in inverted fashion on the tray.

8. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 including four panels.

9. A dish rack and tray as in claim 8 wherein the front of each panel is formed with an outwardly inclined lip to enhance draining of liquid from the tray.

10. A dish rack and tray as in claim 8 wherein the upright wall mans of the outermost panels are formed integral with the upright wall means at the rear of each of said outermost panels, the upright wall means of the two intermediate panels being separate from the upright wall means of the outermost panels and from each other, and the upright wall means at the rear each being offset from one another to permit interfitting of the wall means when the dish rack and tray are folded for use.

11. A dish rack and tray as in claim 10 including upright projections closely adjacent upright wall means at the sides of the outermost panels, said upright projections being adapted to cooperate with the associated upright wall means to retain a glass or the like spaced from the upright wall means and from the tray to enhance draining liquid from a glass and facilitate drying of the glass.

12. A dish rack and tray as in claim 1 including cooperating interlocking means on the upright walls means of the outermost panels engaging one another to retain the panels in stored, folded position.