Dishware drying rack and method of directing and collecting water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial drying racks often lead to water accumulation on surfaces, creating slip hazards and requiring frequent cleaning, as they allow water from dishware to drain onto the floor rather than directing it effectively.
Innovation Solution
A drying rack system with a frame, support shelf, and drip tray configuration that includes a guide surface angled toward a drain opening, along with a drip pan bracket and pan rails to collect and direct water into a removable drip pan, preventing water from reaching the floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water is allowed to drain from dishware onto the supporting surface, then the drying rack performs its basic function of supporting dishware, but water accumulates on the floor creating slip hazards and requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a drip tray as an intermediary component between the dishware and the supporting surface. The drip tray receives water draining from dishware and channels it through a drain opening to a collection container, preventing water from reaching the floor and eliminating slip hazards while maintaining the drying function
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting surface is segmented into a drip tray portion and a collection container portion. The drip tray with its guide surface and drain opening separates the water drainage function from the supporting function, directing water to a dedicated collection area rather than allowing it to spread across the entire supporting surface
2Device complexity
If a simple supporting surface is used, then the device complexity is low, but water collects on the surface requiring repeated cleanings to maintain safety
Solution Approach 1:
The water collection function is extracted from the main supporting surface and placed into a separate, removable collection container. This allows the main drip tray surface to remain simple and easy to manufacture, while the collection container handles the water accumulation, making maintenance easier as the container can be removed and emptied separately
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively collects and directs water from dishware, reducing slip hazards and maintenance needs by channeling it into a drip pan for easy disposal, maintaining a cleaner and safer environment.
Implementation Method 1
the guide surface is angled toward the drain opening to guide water toward the drain opening
Data Source
AI summary
A drying rack for collecting water from one or more pieces of dishware includes a frame and a support shelf removably positioned on the frame. The support shelf is configured for supporting the one or more pieces of dishware. The drying rack also includes a drip tray removably supported by the frame below the support shelf. The drip tray includes a guide surface and defines a drain opening, wherein the guide surface is angled toward the drain opening to guide water toward the drain opening. The drying rack also includes a drip pan bracket supported by the frame. The drip pan bracket includes a pair of pan rails configured to removably receive and position a drip pan below the drain opening to collect the water guided by the guide surface through the drain opening.