| Collapsible dish and utensil rack -> Monitor Keywords |
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Collapsible dish and utensil rackCollapsible dish and utensil rack description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080210648, Collapsible dish and utensil rack. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to dish and utensil racks and more particularly to a dish and utensil rack comprising separate parts that when disassembled can form a planar unit for easy storage. 2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 A conventional dish holder or dish rack typically rests on a countertop. In a small kitchen with only a little countertop and cabinet space, there is not a convenient place to store the dish holder when it is not in use. Further, it is not desirable to leave the dish rack permanently on the counter top taking up valuable space that could be used for other purposes. Collapsible dish racks made of wood or wire are known. Typically, these dish racks are costly and time consuming to manufacture, and are bulky even when collapsed. Therefore, there is a need for a dish and utensil rack that can be easily and conveniently stored when it is not needed, and is inexpensive to manufacture. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present Invention provides a rack for holding dishes and utensils. The dish and utensil rack comprises a flexible rack member and a base member. The rack member includes one or more apertures, slots, etc. to receive dishes and/or utensils and to support the dishes and utensils in an upright position. In use, the rack member engages with the base member. The engagement of the members causes the rack member to bow upwardly into an arcuate configuration allowing dishes and utensils to be inserted into the slots, apertures, etc. in the rack member with the bottom of each item resting in an aligned slot in the base member. When not in use, the rack member can be disengaged from the base member and stored as a unit in a substantially planar condition in a drawer. Further, the rack may be used with a drain mat shaped to receive the unit consisting of the rack member and the base member. In accordance with the present invention, a dish and utensil rack is provided. The rack includes a base member and a rack member formed of flexible material. The base member has a first end portion and a second end portion. The rack member has means for holding one or more dishes and/or utensils. It also has first and second ends. First means are provided for engaging the first end of the rack member and the first end portion of the base member. Second means are provided for engaging the second end of the rack and the second end portion of the base member. When the members are so engaged, the rack member is retained in a substantially arcuate condition such that it can receive dishes and/or utensils in an upright position. The base member is adapted to rest on a substantially planar surface. The first means preferably includes a tab and a slot. The tab forms part of the first rack member end and the slot is formed in the first end portion of said base member. The second means includes a tab and a slot. The tab forms part of the second rack member end and the slot is formed in the second end portion of the base member. When the tabs of the rack member are received in the slots of the base member. the tabs support the base member in a position spaced above the surface upon which the rack rests. The rack member has an interior opening. The base member is adapted to be received in the rack member opening when the members are disassembled. The members form a substantially planar unit to facilitate storage when the base member is received in the rack member opening. The rack member and the base member are preferably formed of the same sheet of material. The holding means of the rack member includes a slot. Preferably, the holding means includes a set of spaced, oppositely oriented serpentine members defining a slot for holding a dish or a utensil. The base member includes a set of spaced, oppositely oriented protrusions. The protrusions of the base member are adapted to be received in the slots of the rack member. The base also has a slot adapted to receive the bottom of a dish or utensil held by the rack member. The rack may be used with a drain mat. The drain mat has a peripheral shape substantially equal to the peripheral shape of the rack member. The drain mat also has an upstanding peripheral wall. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGSContinue reading about Collapsible dish and utensil rack... Full patent description for Collapsible dish and utensil rack Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Collapsible dish and utensil rack patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Collapsible dish and utensil rack or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Drying platform system and pottery bat Next Patent Application: Storage system for tool holders Industry Class: Supports: racks ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Collapsible dish and utensil rack patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.07379 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
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