Dish rack with removable grate

Abstract

A countertop dish rack has a compact unitary body holding a flat-panel grate, utensil holders, a funnel and a drainage tray. The unitary body is configured with a portion of approximately planar solid material, such as plastic. A recessed central portion holds the flat-panel grate and drainage funnel both located below the top surface of the unitary body. Hand hold recesses are located on the left side and right side of the unitary body. The funnel discharges water to a removable drainage tray. The utensil holders are removable and are supported within the flat-panel grate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 467,266, filed 16 MAY 2009, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 095,944, filed 10 SEP. 2008. Both of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]In the field of support racks, a device to support a culinary plate during drying subsequent to washing.BACKGROUND ART[0003]Wire rack dish racks for use on a countertop are widely known and these serve to present a wire frame structure that does not retain drip water. For example, a recent example is United States Patent Application 20090211994, which describes a wire rack and extendable drip tray.[0004]Some inventions employ novel water channeling components. For example U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,695 discloses a dish rack with water drainage channel and spout under the wire mesh to direct drip water into a sink.[0005]Other known dish racks employ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]This invention has advantages in that it takes up a minimum of countertop space; it collects the drip water in an inconspicuous drawer; it is relatively inexpensive when made with a sturdy dishwasher-safe plastic; it can be easily disassembled and the components cleaned in a dishwasher; and it is easily carried when full to a new location. The unique flat-plate grate that holds and drains dishes in an upright position can be easily removed and placed in a dish slot in a dishwasher. This makes it convenient to regularly clean it of any mold or contamination resulting from the presence of drip water from extended use.

Problems solved by technology

Yet none of the prior art describes a compact, solid form dish rack with a flat-panel grate, easily removable utensil cups, easily cleaned in a dishwasher, and with hand holds to enable easy carriage of a filled dish rack to a new location.

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