US20160287025A1

US20160287025A1 - Houseware Dishwashing Bowl

Info

Publication number: US20160287025A1
Application number: US15/087,296
Authority: US
Inventors: Lolita M. Cortes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-03-31
Filing date: 2016-03-31
Publication date: 2016-10-06

Abstract

Houseware Dishwashing Bowl is a circular shaped bowl capable of storing several ounces of liquid for use in cleaning dishes or completing other household chores. Resting on top of the bowl or resting inside the bowl, a wire rack provides elevated storage for sponges, while also allowing air to freely circulate around the sponge.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/141,237 filed Mar. 31, 2015, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Houseware Dishwashing Bowl,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of household accessories, and more specifically to the field of kitchen utility bowls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for kitchen utility bowls. Among these are:
US Patent 2013/0313263 to Nader Kuroush Parsia describes a self draining salad bowl including a bowl member, a cover member and a receptacle member. When salads are placed in the bowl, a convex dome at the base of the bowl member helps elevate the salad to separate fluids, and gravity further assists releasing all liquids to drip down towards the base of the bowl where several draining holes are situated. All excess liquids from salads drain onto a receptacle member placed under the bowl, and the contents in the bowl stay crispy and edible. This unique salad bowl maintains a salad's original fresh and delicious taste. The drained liquid in the receptacle is saved, reused or disposed. The bowl is covered and kept in the refrigerator to maintain the salad fresh for longer periods of time.
US Patent 2013/0233868 to Alon Benishai describes a device for washing and draining food that includes a base portion, a draining dam and an optional handle. Draining dam is coupled to wall of base and includes a plurality of holes therein for draining liquid. Draining dam includes a front portion and a lip portion, the front portion forming a section of the base and the lip portion enclosing a portion of the internal bowl space to trap food when device is tipped to drain liquid. This device includes a handle coupled to the base. In use, a user places produce or other food to be drained, washed or soaked into device, adds water to the device, then tips the device to drain off liquid through holes in draining dam. Food is trapped in the draining dam as user tips device, allowing food to remain in the device while liquid is drained off through holes.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,347,903 to Virginia de Raddo describes a colander and bowl set including a bowl having at least one indicator and a colander comprising a plurality of holes. The colander is insertable into the bowl and removably attachable to the bowl. The at least one indicator is a calibrated guide positioned at a height of a maximum amount of water which the colander and bowl set holds, accounting for displacement of water by the colander and by a particular food.
None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a receptacle configured expressly to provide individuals with a safe and sanitary means of using, storing and thoroughly drying household cleaning sponges.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a practical way in which to utilize liquid cleaning agents for use with the sponge when completing various cleaning tasks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a prototypical top down view of the present invention showing the wire drying rack fitted midway down within the interior circumference of the stainless steel bowl.

FIG. 2 is a prototypical top down view showing a stainless steel bowl with the wire drying rack removed.

FIG. 3 is a prototypical top down view of the present invention showing the wire drying rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Household chores are a basic fact of daily life. Whether pushing a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt from carpet, swirling a feather duster over tabletops and along shelves to absorb dust accumulation, or meticulously wiping windows and mirrors to a pristine shine, a home that is spotlessly clean is a goal for which residents strive whenever possible. Perhaps the greatest cleaning challenges are encountered when tackling one of the busiest rooms in the house, the kitchen. The epicenter of a plethora of activities ranging from the preparation and eating of meals to even homework sessions at the kitchen table, it is no wonder that the sheer volume of traffic in and out of the kitchen can leave behind a daunting mess. Grease and sauce splatters on the stove top, sticky beverage spills drying on counters and a veritable mountain of crusty dishes rising from the sink, all practically scream to be cleaned as soon as possible.
To battle kitchen grime, many individuals employ foam rubber sponges, along with cleaning agents and dishwashing liquid, to help them clean in an expedient manner. These absorbent sponges are very effective in removing the toughest of stains, and most people use their sponges repeatedly, wringing them out and setting them on a countertop to dry. Storing a sponge in such a manner can mean that the sponge sits in a pool of water and never fully airs out or dries. The moist surface of the sponge quickly become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and germs and, in many cases, mold and mildew can thrive and grow. Unaware that the sponge is contaminated, an unsuspecting homemaker uses the sponge to wash dishes or perform other cleaning chores, in turn spreading the harmful agents accumulated on the sponge throughout the home and putting family members at risk of exposure to these contaminants
The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Houseware Dishwashing Bowl, is a receptacle configured expressly to provide individuals with a safe and sanitary means of using, storing and thoroughly drying household cleaning sponges when not in use. The Houseware Dishwashing Bowl provides a practical way in which to utilize liquid cleaning agents for use with the sponge when completing various cleaning tasks. The present invention is comprised of two functional components, a bowl container 20 and a wire drying rack 30.
A sleek, stainless steel receptacle bowl 20 sized appropriately to conveniently rest on any countertop, the Houseware Dishwashing Bowl is a circular shaped bowl 20 measuring approximately three inches in height. The bottom 22 of the bowl measures approximately one and one half inches in diameter and the top 24 of the bowl measures approximately six inches in diameter. The Houseware Dishwashing Bowl 10 is an open receptacle which is capable of storing several ounces of liquid for use in cleaning dishes or completing other household chores.
Encompassing the top portion of the Houseware Dishwashing Bowl is a removable wire rack that comfortably rests over or inside the bowl, not shown. The wire rack 30 provides elevated storage for sponges, while also allowing air to freely circulate around the sponge. An alternate removable wire rack 30 is configured to reside in the interior portion of the bowl, providing a recessed storage place for the sponge so it is out of sight while it dries on the rack, as seen in FIG. 1. Wire rack 30 additionally comprises feet 34 to elevate the rack and prevent it from coming into contact with any surface. FIG. 3 shows the rack with four feet, although any number of feet equal to or greater than three is useful.
Use of the Houseware Dishwashing Bowl is very simple and straight forward. Prior to washing dishes or performing other cleaning tasks, the user fills the Houseware Dishwashing Bowl with hot soapy water or other cleaning solutions, dipping their household sponge directly within the soapy water to saturate the sponge with the cleaning agent. The user then utilizes the sponge to wash dishes, clean countertops or perform other household cleaning chores, simply rinsing and saturating the sponge with soapy water as needed during use.
When the cleaning chore is complete, the user discards the soapy water from the Houseware Dishwashing Bowl, rinses the bowl clean and applies the removable draining rack atop or within the bowl. The user rinses the used sponge clean and squeezes excess water from the sponge into the sink. The user places the sponge directly atop the Houseware Dishwashing Bowl's draining wire rack, allowing the sponge to dry as it is stored. With air freely circulating throughout the sponge, the sponge dries thoroughly, thwarting the growth of germs, bacteria and other harmful agents. The process described above is repeated each time the user wishes to clean with the sponge. The Houseware Dishwashing Bowl is left in place on a kitchen countertop or utility sink when unused.
The Houseware Dishwashing Bowl provides consumers with a sanitary means of keeping dishes, countertops, and food areas clean. A sleek storage receptacle comprising a detachable drying rack configured expressly for sponges, using the present invention provides a sanitary storage for these ubiquitous cleaning accessories. Keeping a sponge fresh and dry, the Houseware Dishwashing Bowl ensures that a cleaner has a sterile and uncontaminated cleaning tool each time they reach for a sponge. Containing an ample receptacle for liquid detergents or other household cleaners, the Houseware Dishwashing Bowl functions as a reliable tool for many household cleaning tasks. A handy means of keeping the kitchen clean, the Houseware Dishwashing Bowl is highly effective for use in bathrooms, bedrooms, laundry rooms, or any other area of the home where cleaning is needed. Durably constructed, the Houseware Dishwashing Bowl will withstand years of continued use, with ease.
Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A receptacle configured expressly to provide individuals with a safe and sanitary means of utilizing, storing and thoroughly drying household cleaning sponges, comprising: a circular bowl container and a wire drying rack.

2. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the wire drying rack comprises a removable wire rack having a diameter larger than the bowl so the rack rests over the bowl.

3. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the wire drying rack comprises a removable drying rack having a diameter smaller than the bowl so the rack will reside in the interior portion of the bowl.

4. The receptacle of claim 2, wherein the receptacle is a stainless steel bowl measuring approximately three inches in height, the bottom of the bowl measures approximately one and one half inches in diameter and the top of the bowl measures approximately six inches in diameter.

5. The receptacle of claim 3, wherein the receptacle is a stainless steel bowl measuring approximately three inches in height, the bottom of the bowl measures approximately one and one half inches in diameter and the top of the bowl measures approximately six inches in diameter.

6. The receptacle of claim 2, wherein the wire rack additionally comprises a plurality of feet to elevate the rack and prevent it from coming into contact with any surface.

7. The receptacle of claim 3, wherein the wire rack additionally comprises a plurality of feet to elevate the rack and prevent it from coming into contact with any surface.