US20130256312A1

US20130256312A1 - Multi-purpose dishwasher rack

Info

Publication number: US20130256312A1
Application number: US13/783,465
Authority: US
Inventors: Barbara Iaquinto
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-04-03
Filing date: 2013-03-04
Publication date: 2013-10-03

Abstract

The dishwasher rack fits inside a dishwasher crate of the dishwasher assembly. The dishwasher rack includes a plurality of injecting molded plastic horizontal bars for withholding high temperatures and plurality of injecting molded plastic vertical bars for s withholding high temperatures. The plurality of injecting molded plastic vertical bars is intersectingly attached to the plurality of injecting molded plastic horizontal bars to form plurality of compartments. The plurality of compartments allows receiving of the dishware in the space created in between the horizontal bars and the vertical bars.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/619,814 filed on Apr. 3, 2012 which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a dishwasher rack, and more particularly relates to a dishwasher rack for storing, handling and washing of stemware inside the dishwasher assembly.
2. Description of Related Art
Stemware includes glassware having stems, such as wine glasses and champagne flutes as well as some serving pieces such as parfait glasses, whether made of glass, crystal, or acrylic. Glassware refers generally to individual drinking glasses, such as beverage containers, whether made of glass, metal, plastic or ceramic material. For convenience, stemware and glassware will simply be referred to herein as glassware, it being understood that both stemware and glassware are intended unless otherwise stated.
The problem attendant in handling, washing and storing glassware is that it may be fragile, prone to chipping, cracking, etching, scratching, watermarks, water spotting, and breakage. In particular, in a dishwasher glassware often shifts or tips over during the washing process from the water spray of the washer. When glassware shifts or tips over, if often breaks or may collect water or food debris that would otherwise be washed away.
If simply positioned in a tilted position in the top rack of a dishwashing unit, glassware tends to fall against itself during washing, causing damage and affecting the ability of the dishwasher to clean and rinse the glassware free of dirt and food particles. Hand-carrying glassware from one location to another (such as from storage to kitchen) increases the risk of damage as well, even if the glassware is moved by hand in a small quantity at a time. If using a tray, there is still a risk of damage.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,556,231 issued to Herbst et al discloses a rack and associated dip for use in washing stemware in a residential dishwasher. However, the dip increases handling and may not facilitate the efficient washing of larger numbers of stemware at one time.
Therefore there is a need of a dishwasher rack to fit inside the dishwasher assembly in household fittings. Further, the dishwasher rack should bear the high temperatures, humidity, and water conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a dishwasher rack to fit inside a dishwasher crate of the dishwasher assembly is provided.
An object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher rack having a plurality of injecting molded plastic horizontal bars and a plurality of injecting molded plastic vertical bars intersectingly attached to the plurality of horizontal bars to form plurality of compartments. The plurality of compartments receives dishwares.
Another object of the present invention is to provide dishwasher rack with an open grid construction to allow water to freely flow into and out of the crate during dishwashing and drying processes.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher accessory to fit inside a dishwasher assembly having a dishwasher crate and a dishwasher rack to fit inside the dishwasher crate. Further, the dishwasher crate is having a plurality of handles for moving the dishware from one place to another place.
Another object of the present invention is to create the dishwasher rack and dishwasher accessory with the injected molded plastic material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a dishwasher rack inside a dishwasher crate, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a dishwasher accessory fitted inside a dishwasher assembly in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

While this technology is illustrated and described in a preferred embodiment, the dishwasher accessory may be produced in many different configurations, forms and materials. There is depicted in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, as a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and the associated functional specifications for its construction and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations within the scope of the technology described herein.
Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever feasible and convenient, the same reference numerals are used in the figures and the description to refer to the same or like parts. The drawings are in a simplified form and not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front may be used with respect to the accompanying drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be strictly construed to limit the scope of the invention. In addition, words such as attached, affixed, coupled, connected and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes are used interchangeably, unless the difference is noted or made otherwise clear from the context. These words and expressions do not necessarily signify direct connections, but include connections through mediate components and devices.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a dishwasher rack 10 inside a dishwasher crate 20, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The dishwasher rack 10 includes plurality of injecting molded plastic horizontal bars 12 such as 12 a, 12 b and 12 c and plurality of injecting molded plastic vertical bars 14 such as 14 a, 14 b and 14 c. The plurality of injecting molded plastic vertical bars 14 are intersectingly attached to the injecting molded plastic horizontal bars to form plurality of compartments 16 such as 16 a, 16 b, 16 c and 16 d. The plurality of compartments 16 receives plurality of dishware 18 such as 18 a, 18 b and 18 c in the space created in between the horizontal bars 10 and the vertical bars 20. The dishware 18 is systematically placed in the spaces to avoid breakage during dishwashing. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 the dishware 18 are glasses. However it is to be noted that the space plurality of compartments 18 may be adjusted to place dishware of different sizes. Examples of dishware 18 include but not limited to cup, plates, glasses, dishes, saucers etc.
FIG. 2 illustrates a dishwasher accessory 200 fitted inside a dishwasher assembly in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The dishwasher accessory 200 includes the dishwasher rack 10 and the dishwasher crate 20. As shown, the dishwasher accessory 200 is placed inside a dishwasher assembly. The dishwasher rack 10 is having an open grid construction to allow water to freely flow into and out of the dishwasher crate 20 during dishwashing process. The dishware accessory prevents any breakage to the dishware during the dishwashing and shifting process. Examples of breakage includes but not limited to chips, cracks, scratches, and other damages.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the dishwasher crate 20 may further include plurality of handles (not shown in figures) to move the dishware 18 from one place to another.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher accessory 200 is made up of injecting molded plastic such as high density polyethylene or polypropylene. However, it is to be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other materials may also be used to withhold high temperatures, humidity and water conditions, without deviating from the scope of the present invention.
The present invention offers various advantages such as the dishwasher accessory may be fitted with any dishwasher assembly. Further, it is very easy to carry the dishwasher accessory from one place to another. During the shift from one place to another the dishwasher accessory maintains the dishes in its position and prevents any breakage.
The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the technology described herein. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion and from the accompanying drawings that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A dishwasher rack to fit inside a dishwasher crate of the dishwasher assembly, said dishwasher rack comprising:

plurality of injecting molded plastic horizontal bars for withholding high temperatures; and

plurality of injecting molded plastic vertical bars for withholding high temperatures, said plurality of injecting molded plastic vertical bars intersectingly attached said injecting molded plastic horizontal bars to form plurality of compartments, said plurality of compartments to receive dishware, characterized in that dishware are systematically placed to avoid breakage during dishwashing.

2. The dishwasher rack according to claim 1 comprising an open grid construction to allow water to freely flow into and out of said dishwasher crate during dishwashing and drying processes.

3. The dishwasher rack according to claim 1 wherein the space between said plurality of compartments may be adjusted to place dishware of different sizes.

4. The dishwasher rack according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of injecting molded plastic vertical bars and said plurality of injecting molded plastic horizontal bars may comprise of either high density polyethylene or polypropylene.

5. A dishwasher accessory to fit inside a dishwasher assembly, said dishwasher accessory comprising:

a dishwasher crate; and

a dishwasher rack to fit inside said dishwasher crate, said dishwasher rack comprising:

plurality of injecting molded plastic vertical bars for withholding high temperatures, said plurality of injecting molded plastic vertical bars intersectingly attached said injecting molded plastic horizontal bars to form plurality of compartments, said plurality of compartments to receive dishware, characterized in that dishware are systematically stacked to avoid breakage during dishwashing.

6. The dishwasher rack according to claim 5 comprising an open grid construction to allow water to freely flow into and out of said dishwasher crate during dishwashing and drying processes.

7. The dishwasher rack according to claim 5 wherein the space between said plurality of compartments may be adjusted to stack dishware of different sizes.

8. The dishwasher rack according to claim 5 wherein said plurality of injecting molded plastic vertical bars and said plurality of injecting molded plastic horizontal bars may comprise of either high density polyethylene or polypropylene.

9. The dishwasher crate according to claim 5 further comprising plurality of handles.